River North sandwich shop fires 20 staff via email at Christmas Roast beef sandwich top view, isolated on white Source: NewsComAu A SANDWICH shop fired its 20 employees on Sunday night via email. In the email obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times , director of operations Doug Besant at Snarf's Sub Shop in Chicago, blamed "increased competition and losses" for the terminations and said the company plans to remodel the business. The firings were effective immediately which meant workers were left without jobs or hope over the holiday period. A company spokeswoman told the Sun-Times that employees will be allowed to reapply for their jobs after the restaurant reopens. However the mass cull comes on the back of weeks of unrest in America as fast food workers fight for higher wages and better working conditions. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Various unions, social causes and organisations attend a rally calling on greater social equality, organised by non-unionised fast food workers demanding for a wage raise. Andrew Burton/Getty Source: AFP Earlier this month thousands of workers walked off the job in McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's among other outlets in 100 cities around the country, in protest at the $7.25 minimum wage which they say is impossible to live on. It was the largest event yet in a movement that is gaining momentum, as workers vent their anger at the divide between the haves and have nots. The sandwich shop's workers recently participated in the "Fight for 15" rally, seeking higher wages but Snarf's officials say the firings had nothing to do with the strike, but rather the slow Christmas season. Members of the Worker's Organizing Committee of Chicago aren't so sure. "Three days before Christmas and not even a call," Deivid Rojas, communications director for the organisation told Chicago Sun-Times. It's not fair that management and the corporation is treating [employees] this way. Read more about the fast food working crisis in America. Protester Austin Prude holds a sign during a rally for better wages at a Wendy's in Detroit Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Source: AP