A public outcry has developed over a supermarket cashier in Germany who was fired for stealing 1.30 euros ($1.65) of bottle deposit money. And just like Joe the Plumber in last year’s U.S. Presidential campaign, Barbara the Cashier is figuring into Germany’s upcoming elections.
Barbara Emme worked 31 years for supermarket chain Kaisers in Berlin. She denies an accusation by her former employer that she kept bottle deposit receipts worth $1.65.
A court recently upheld the decision to fire her. Now, leaders of Germany’s major political parties are criticizing the decisions by Kaisers and the court.
“I don’t understand how a cashier can be fired because of 1.30 euros while managers who lose billions of euros can keep their jobs,” said Horst Seehofer, leader of the Christian Social Union party.
Barbara the Cashier says her phone has been ringing off the hook since news of her firing hit German media.
Unfortunately, she says she hasn’t received an offer of a new job.
