Villa Barone Trattoria
Easter Dinner Menu
Come Join Us In Our
Newly Renovated
Dining Room -
Every Table will receive
one Complimentary Pizza
from our Brand New
Brick Oven!
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A BTR PRIL 5-11, 2019 7
Our Perspective
Going “Cashless”
Promotes
Discrimination in
Our Communities
By Stuart Appelbaum, President
Retail, Wholesale and Department
Store Union, UFCW
As more establishments refuse to accept
cash, people without credit or debit cards are
facing discrimination. Whether it’s at a selfservice
kiosk at a fast-food restaurant or a grocery
store, or at a bar or restaurant that has signs
announcing it’s a “cashless establishment,” or even an entire sports arena,
such as the concession stands at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the concept of
credit and debit card only commerce is starting to take hold.
Cashless commerce does more than just remove old-fashioned cash
from the business of buying and selling goods, services, and products. And
despite what its proponents say, it isn’t more convenient – at least not for
consumers.
Forcing customers to use only
credit or debit is a discriminatory
business model that disadvantages lowincome
people, people of color, and
Cashless commerce is a
discriminatory business
model that disadvantages
low-income people, people
of color, and seniors.
seniors – all groups of people who are
less likely to have bank accounts and
credit cards. To have credit, a person must have a bank account, and to buy
things without cash, a person must have credit. This means that people
without a bank and a credit card cannot shop at these businesses, effectively
excluding people from participating in the local economy.
The numbers show how cashless business discriminates and
marginalizes people in our communities. Communities of color, seniors, lowincome
people, the disabled, and other marginalized households go
unbanked at rates far higher than the national average. Close to 17 percent of
African-American households and 14 percent of Latino households are
unbanked, compared to an average of 6.5 percent nationally. In addition,
about one in five households has no credit, making it difficult or impossible
to obtain a credit card. New York City’s communities of color are far less
likely to host a branch of a bank, yet another roadblock for consumers in a
cashless society.
Fighting Cashless Legislatively
Legislative action is one way to protect consumers from discriminatory
cashless business practices. In March, both Philadelphia and New Jersey
banned all cashless business at stores and restaurants. Massachusetts has
required retail businesses to accept cash since 1978, and the Washington DC
city council is considering a bill to ban cash-free restaurants.
In New York City, the RWDSU supports Initiative
1281-2018 Prohibiting Retail Establishments from
Refusing to Accept Payment in Cash. Protecting
consumers and opposing discrimination helps all
working people.
www.rwdsu.org
Appetizer
CHOICE OF:
Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Stuffed Clams
Cold Antipasto
Pasta
CHOICE OF:
Rigatoni Fileto Penne Vodka or Primavera
Entree
CHOICE OF:
Tilapia Arreganata Broiled Salmon
Veal Scallopini Francese Chicken Sorrentino
Veal or Chicken Parmigiana
**Grilled Lamb Chops
**Misto di Casa (NY Strip Steak,
Veal Francese & Chicken Sorrentino)
**Combination NY Strip Steak &
Shrimp Scampi
**Broiled 8oz. Lobster Tail
**Broiled Seafood Combination Platter
(Lobster Tail, Shrimp, Clams,
Filet of Sole & Scallops)
All Dinners Served with Potato & Vegetables,
Coffee, Tea or Espresso & Dessert
$31.95 Per Person
Ask About Our Children’s Menu for
$14.95
**These Entrees $11.95 Extra
3289 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461
Call now for reservations 718-828-0560
/www.rwdsu.org
/www.rwdsu.org