Fast-food strike

Starting today, fast-food workers in at least seven cities–Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, Chicago,  St. Louis, Flint, and Kansas City–plan to stage one-day strikes.  The employees of McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and KFC are calling for “a living wage,” at least $15 per hour.

From Michael A. Fletcher,  Fast-food workers planning to expand protests in 7 cities – The Washington Post:

Supporters of a fledgling movement for better pay for fast-food and other poorly paid employees are hoping for a major boost next week when thousands of low-wage workers are expected to walk off their jobs in seven U.S. cities.

On Monday, workers are planning to stage one-day strikes at some of the nation’s best known and most profitable fast-food restaurants, including KFC, Wendy’s, Burger King and McDonald’s.

The aim of the protests, which have been expanding for much of the year, is to force employers to raise the low pay that is typical of the jobs in one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the nation’s labor market. The protesters are calling for a living wage of $15 an hour.

The walkouts are scheduled to take place in five cities where workers have previously protested: Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Louis. Those workers will be joined by fast-food employees in Flint, Mich., and Kansas City, Mo. Organizers said low-wage employees at stores including Dollar Tree, Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret are expected to join protesters in several cities.

Are you sympathetic?