Newswise — Thousands of fast food workers from seven cities across the United States are striking today, demanding $15 an hour pay and fair treatment. Flint, Mich., and Kansas City, Mo., fast food workers – striking for the first time – will be joining workers from New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Detroit, where fast food industry strikes have taken place in the past year. Labor Education Research Director Kate Bronfenbrenner of Cornell’s ILR School comments:
“Slowly but surely, fast food workers, along with OUR Walmart and other low-wage worker organizing, appear to be having an impact. Worker participation and community support has increased with each strike, as has public awareness of wages and working conditions for fast food workers and support for raising the minimum wage, which is now widespread.
“As much as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King and other corporations try to distance themselves from these strikes, Fast Food Forward is holding them accountable.
“Most of the workers earn the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour – $15,000 a year – and receive no benefits. Contrary to public perception, the majority are not teenagers, but adults trying to support families by holding two or more of these jobs.
“They are striking for $15 an hour, protections against unsafe conditions and union recognition. They will be joined by religious, labor and community leaders, along with customers, politicians and other allies.
“A year ago few would have believed that multi-city fast food worker strikes were even possible. Yet, this is the second one this year. One thing is clear; the future of the U.S. labor movement may be determined by these women and workers of color who are standing up for a living wage and a union.”
RSS