Fast-food workers stage largest protests yet

[alp227]

Source: AP

NEW YORK (AP) — Fast-food workers and their supporters beat drums, blew whistles and chanted slogans Thursday on picket lines in dozens of U.S. cities, marking the largest protests yet in their quest for higher wages.

The nationwide day of demonstrations came after similar actions organized by unions and community groups over the past several months. Workers are calling for the right to unionize without interference from employers and for pay of $15 an hour. That's more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, or $15,000 a year for full-time employees.

Thursday's walkouts and protests reached about 60 cities, including New York, Chicago and Detroit, organizers said. But the turnout varied significantly. Some targeted restaurants were temporarily unable to do business because they had too few employees, and others seemingly operated normally.

Ryan Carter, a 29-year-old who bought a $1 cup of coffee at a New York McDonald's where protesters gathered, said he "absolutely" supported the demand for higher wages.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/fast-food-protests-under-way

[valerief]

1. If the guy supported the strike, why did he buy coffee there? nt

[AsahinaKimi]

2. That would have been my

question as well. Wow...

[rurallib]

3. hope some journalist does some serious followup on this

Will workers lose their jobs? Get hours cut?
Will employers consider raises at all? or retaliation?
will the strike spread even to the smaller towns and cities?

I wish them good speed.

[Plucketeer]

4. These ridiculous wages are just part of the plan

The plan instigated by Reagan, and buttressed by good ol' Billy boy Clinton. Labor? What labor? Once our desperate populace is willing to accept Chinese wage structures, we'll be busy again. SO busy that fast food places will be forced to offer small increases to temp workers away from assembly jobs. For now tho - there's folks clamoring for those 7 bucks an hour. So what's the incentive for Mickey Ds and them to give more?

[rurallib]

5. Here is a tip to 29 year old Ryan Carter

When someone is striking, honor the picket line and don't cross it.

[Brigid]

6. I suspect that today, after more than 30 years of demonizing unions,

Many people don't even know what a picket line is for.

[rurallib]

7. you are so right

and it is more than 30 years.
Just these past 30 years have been more intense. I am mid 60s and they have been demonized my whole life.