Subway fires 80-hour-a-week worker from 1 job after Oregonian story
Keith Fons showed up for work Nov. 9 at the Subway he manages in downtown Portland, expecting a normal Monday morning rush.
A day earlier, The Oregonian's front page featured a story about Fons and the everyday challenges that low-wage workers face. The 35-year-old father worked as many as 80 hours every week at two Subway shops to provide for his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, and their three young children.
The family's story of making it work on $11.50 an hour struck a chord with readers and dozens offered to help. One befriended Fons on Facebook and sent money. Another donated a box of Christmas presents for the kids.
Fons was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from strangers.
But less than a week after The Oregonian/OregonLive shared Fons' story, he was fired from his second job, at a 24-hour Subway near Northwest 21st Avenue and West Burnside Street. Losing half his hours will cost his family $1,400 to $2,000 a month.
"People say, 'Do what you love.'" Fons said Monday, wearing a puffy down coat given to him by a customer in recent days. "I loved working for Subway and customer service."
...
more:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/11/subway_employee_keith_fons_los.html