'I don't want to have to leave': Fort Lee barbers strike over alleged unfair wage structure

FORT LEE - Haircuts at Fort Lee are on hold after the base's barbers decided to go on strike earlier this week. Their allegations include claims that they are being underpaid by the contractor in charge of the base's three barbershops, plus one at Fort Pickett.

Around 20 barbers at the base are organized under a union. Those barbers initiated an Unfair Labor Practices strike earlier this week.

Mike Kates, 38, has been a barber at Fort Lee for the past 15 years. He said the pay structure put in place by Sheffield Barbers is costing him somewhere close to $1000 a month.

The pandemic was an especially difficult time for barbers. Stylists worked every other day to keep building occupancy at an acceptable level for social distancing. Kates said the pay structure is becoming untenable, and has him questioning his future at the base.

Read more: https://roanoke.com/news/state-and-regional/i-dont-want-to-have-to-leave-fort-lee-barbers-strike-over-alleged-unfair-wage/article_aaede14d-8d81-5b9e-b2cb-ded7707d995e.html