[Bownesian]

@MattyC -

I don't mind answering questions.

1/3-1/2 productivity is where new hires settled at after a 4 month season of work (of which the first few weeks is training with zero productivity). The university students and longer tenured high school students (who also got near to $15/hr) were usually near the 1/2 level and the high school/beginning university students were closer to the 1/3 level.

Like I said, there are extra costs (including using a permanent employee's time and salary to check/supervise the work of these students as well as payroll remittances beyond their $/hr cost), so breaking even in terms of base salary isn't really breaking even.

Regarding the employees state of overwork, and consulting them, we have consulted and they are neutral over-all with some significant variance among the individuals. Some definitely want the extra cash but can understand why there is a business case for the old way, some are happier with more time with their families but will work more if the business needs them, so what management chooses is positive for some either way and has morale costs either way.

Regarding whether the business can absorb the cost and make a healthy profit, we could but we will not. The board, which I chair is legally beholden to our shareholders to maximize profits and grow the value of the business so instruct we (management) to do so. If we can do that by hiring cheap low-value labour we will, if it's better to over-work our high-value core employees, we will do that.

Also, $16 is $4 more than $12, not $3. These students will cost us a minimum 1/3 more than they did a couple years ago and won't produce any more than they did in the past.