On Sunday, Oct. 13, after dinner service, employees of the Bobcat Bonnie’s in Ypsilanti received notice by email from management that all operations would be closed until further notice. Knowing that the lease for their building would expire in two weeks, employees were not hopeful for a reopening date.
The management decided to suspend operations at the Ypsilanti location to investigate concerns raised in a petition that the employees had delivered on Oct. 7. This petition was signed by over 90% of Bobcat Bonnie’s staff and made demands about pay, scheduling, training and inappropriate behavior.
Employees at the Ypsilanti location had been receiving paychecks days late after begging for them, and when they went to cash their checks, they had bounced.
The staff also aired a complaint about their inconsistent schedules. Hours had been cut, days had been switched and shifts were consistently understaffed without any communication from management.
Workers also explained they would no longer tolerate inappropriate comments and conversations from management to staff about other employees, claiming it bred a toxic workplace. Each of these demands were paired with a date to comply, and these dates have all since passed.
After the statement of closure, Bobcat Bonnie’s workers banded together once again to demand what they deserved.
They created an Instagram account, calling themselves Bobcats United, that shared their petition, explained their story, and called employees to action. This account was quickly shared and now community members follow in support.
On this Instagram page, workers announced there would be an emergency picket line in front of the Ferndale Bonnie’s location Oct. 17-20 during all open hours. The goal of this picket line was to show management that they are still fighting for their rights as workers, and now are having to fight for their jobs back. They asked either for the store to reopen or for two weeks of severance pay for the entire staff.
During this picket, employees encouraged community members to show their support by joining the picket or going to their local Bobcat Bonnie’s and tipping generously. Staff was careful to explain that this picket was not a boycott and they still need community support to help with their demands.
On Oct. 18 after day two of the emergency picket line, Bobcat Bonnie's owner Matt Buskard came to an agreement with the Ypsilanti employees to offer two weeks of severance pay and he announced that the Ypsilanti location would not be reopening.
Buskard then released a statement stating, “Now that the picketing has concluded at the Bobcat Bonnie’s Ferndale location and we have an agreement, I want to thank the Bobcat United group for keeping things civil and professional while we negotiated a severance package for the impacted Ypsilanti workers. Going forward, the management team and I are dedicated to listening to all of our employees as we work together to create a fun and inviting dining experience for our guests. I am looking forward to implementing quite a few changes across the board at Bobcat Bonnie’s restaurants effective immediately. Your feedback will be very important to me. Please come have a meal soon at Bobcat Bonnie’s in Corktown, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Wyandotte, and Lansing, so that you can meet our team where they are happiest — on the job and making money.”
Bobcat United made a statement explaining that they are satisfied with Buskard’s efforts to make things right with the employees at the Ypsilanti restaurant, but they encourage him to continue addressing the grievances made on the petition to make things better for the employees at other locations. The picket was called to a stop and workers were satisfied with the severance that they were offered.
Employees at Bobcat Bonnie’s were proud to have made a stand and to achieve severance: a rare opportunity for a small restaurant chain. The Ypsilanti staff may have to find other jobs, but they remain loyal to Bobcats United and invite all Bobcat Bonnie’s employees to reach out to the Ypsi staff for help with their own grievances.
Staff encouraged the community to continue visiting the other restaurant locations and show the employees support. They are pleased with the waves they have made in the food service industry and encourage everyone to be kind to their servers and always leave a generous tip.
