McDonalds franchisee serves up benefits to employees

One local employer might have a solution to the nation's low unemployment rate.

Steve Bigari, owner of nine McDonalds restaurants in Colorado Springs, has been master-minding an employment plan during the past five years and recently presented his blueprint to a number of local employers at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center.

Bigari's plan involves taking the low-income wage earner who does not have an education, experience or basic living suste nance, such as child care or transportation,

"The free market is forcing us to took at this (employment) problem differently," said Bigari.

His plan not only assists these limited-skill workers in learning how to take control of their lives, but also can be an asset to other businesses in the community including the high-tech field.

His plan consists of six elements - health care, childcare, transportation, housing, education, and training.

"Most people operate on a crisis basis," Bigari said, adding that most people with limited means haven't learned how to be self-sufficient. If they could reach that level, they would be on a level playing field and have more opportunities in life.