Five Things You Need to Know: 11/8, Thursday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) 13 Dead After Mass Shooting at CA Bar; Ventura Sheriff Among Those Killed

Thirteen are dead, including the shooter, after a gunman entered Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks last night, throwing smoke grenades and opening fire, per authorities and ABC7.com. Hundreds of bar-goers were in attendance at the time. Ventura County Sheriff's Sergeant Ron Helus was shot and killed. According to a witness, a cashier was shot, and so was a doorman. “…Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Simi Valley and Oxnard police, arrived to help sheriff's deputies and SWAT officers,” per the article. “FBI agents were also headed to the scene.” Check back to WorkersCompensation.com’s Featured News section for more coverage on this later in the day.

2) Cocktail Vending Machines? You Aren’t Dreaming; It’s Already a Reality

Existing Conditions, a bar in Manhattan, NY, is a much-talked about and Instagrammed bar establishment as of recent, writes Billy Lyons of VICE’s food section, Munchies. And why is that? Two vending machines that serve as part-time bartenders. “…The 60s-era former soda machines were purchased and rejiggered by one of the bar's co-owners, Dave Arnold, and his crew,” per the article. “…The machines at Existing Conditions now refrigerate and distribute three $15 pre-bottled cocktails purchased via token: a Manhattan, a butter and popcorn-infused rum, and a Cinema Highball. Each machine holds 70 bottles, which are priced the same as the bar’s $15 signature non-bottled cocktails.” That’s not all. Lost Angeles also follows suit, with it’s Mama Lion bar and a mini champagne vending machine. Could they be taking bartenders jobs anytime soon? Probably not. “…vending machine bartenders are probably a long way away from taking real bartender jobs: In most cases, customers order a token from the bar, which is then used to make a vending machine purchase. The extra step might sound convoluted, but it ends up cutting down on service time,” writes Lyons.

3) Truck Offers More than Horsepower; It Can Cook Your Pizza

Toyota and Pizza Hut have worked together to create a prototype with quite the niche: A Tundra that cooks pizza… in the truck, writes Kaleigh Rogers of VICE’s Motherboard section. The prototype delivery truck, known as the Tundra PIE Pro, was displayed at an automotive show this year. “…The PIE was originally a Toyota Tundra SR5 that the joint team completely torn down and then reassembled. They replaced the gas-powered engine with a hydrogen fuel-cell electric power unit, which they adapted from a Toyota Mirai. This hydrogen fuel-cell powers the truck and all of the automated pizza-making on board,” per the article. It won’t be eliminating pizza delivery jobs anytime soon, but the reality of pizza being cooked in a truck is on the horizon…

4) Report Uncovers Alleged Employee Abuse at UK Ambulance Co.

“…An independent probe in the UK has uncovered a spike in abusive behavior at the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT), where a ‘boys club’ mentality existed,” writes Phoebe Cooke of the Sun, featured in the New York Post. “…The (bullying) report reads: ‘Women spoke of being exposed to pornographic material, were physically propositioned and to behaviors that are frankly bordering on gross misconduct or even sexual assault.’” The new employees, allegedly called “fresh meat” were allegedly forced to “watch porn and give sexual favors,” per the article. “…The review was carried out after the 2017 National Health Service Staff survey found that 24 percent of the ambulance service’s staff say they had experienced bullying or harassment — up 3 percent from the previous year.”

5) TX: Container Co. Sued for Allegedly Not Paying Employees for Overtime Hours

Sherman resident Mary Wiley Chenault has filed a class action lawsuit against Container King Inc., Cole Smith and Paula Pacanins, alleging herself and other employees weren’t paid appropriately, writes Kristine Gonzales-Abella of the Southeast Texas Record. “…The plaintiff holds Container King Inc., Smith and Pacanins responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to pay her proper overtime compensation for all hours worked in excess of 40 at a rate of time-and-one-half of her regular pay rate. She alleges she was paid her straight hourly rate for working overtime hours.” Wiley Chenault requests trial-by-jury, unpaid wages, damages, court costs, interest, and any other relief.

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