Dec. 30—A strike was averted at Mr. Happy Burger Friday evening when employees were payed around 4 p.m.
Employees shut down the store Friday after they did not receive their paychecks. They went to social media about the problem, which caught the attention of Brence Walters, a labor organizer from South Carolina, who went to Mr. Happy Burger to help the employees.
A woman named Sarah called the Pharos-Tribune at approximately 4 p.m. on behalf of Mr. Happy Burger and said that the employees were paid. She would not give her last name or her position with the company.
"Jeff Love takes good care of his employees," Sarah said. Love owns Penguin Points Restaurant Group.
Walters confirmed the employees had seen proof they would be paid from Paycor, the company that handles distribution of the paychecks. Heather Roland, Mr. Happy Burger's general manager, also confirmed they were being paid via a text message.
Walters said Jeff Love called and spoke with employees and ensured them they would be paid for their work and apologized for the situation. He said the employees would be paid for today despite the work stoppage.
Walters said he would remain in contact with employees to make sure there was no reprisal from Penguin Point and so that the employees would be aware of their rights if needed.
Tracy May, who runs payroll at Penguin Point Restaurant Group, said the workers would receive their pay earlier in the afternoon.
"It's been processed, and they are receiving their pay," she said. "They have until 5 o'clock to get it into the accounts."
May said she did not know that the employees had closed down Mr. Happy Burger for the day.
"It has been paid, it has been confirmed, and I have already spoken with them several times today telling them that payroll went through on Wednesday, but because of the holidays we use an outside agency that was closed on Monday so it is probably delayed," May said.
Roland thanked the public for all their support and she appreciated all the business they gave Mr. Happy Burger.
"We apologize for not being able to serve them today," she said.
Walters sent out a press release later in the afternoon that alleged receipt of paychecks had been a recent problem at Mr. Happy Burger.
"Friday afternoon, Dec. 30, workers will be shutting down the store and rallying to get public acknowledgment and support in addressing this issue," the press release said. "The demonstration will be held in the Happy Burger parking lot on E. Market St., beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending conditionally upon (receiving) our payment which we should have received by the morning of Friday, Dec. 30, 2022."