Thread by @JuddLegum

1. This AM, I published a piece on @darden, which operates @olivegarden & other restaurants. 1700+ in the US

I highlighted that, except where required by law, none of @darden's 170K+ workers got paid time off

10 hours later the company reversed course

popular.info/p/free-breadst…

@darden @olivegarden 2. As of today, all 170K+ restaurant workers at @olivegarden, @LongHornSteaks, @YardHouse and other @darden brands will get paid time off.

Darden didn't respond to my inquiries last week, but sent me the details of the new policy this evening

popular.info/p/free-breadst…

3. My piece this AM focused on how, during a coronavirus outbreak, lack of paid sick leave put workers & customers at risk. Many @darden employees told me they observed people coming into work sick because they couldn't afford to take time off.

popular.info/p/free-breadst…

4. Was the reporting in Popular Information why @darden announced this policy today? It's hard to say.

But I do know that independent accountability journalism matters.

If you agree, sign up for my newsletter. There's a lot of work to do. --> popular.info/subscribe

6. This is good news for @darden employees but the problem is systemic. Less than half of workers in the restaurant sector get paid time off.

I am going to keep digging and keep telling the stories of the hardworking people in this industry.

popular.info/p/free-breadst…

7. But you can now enjoy your unlimited bread sticks with the knowledge that the cooks and servers do not have to come to work sick to get paid.

https://twitter.com/olivegarden/status/1237167897233031171