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Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 11:58 AM Sep 2014

Fast-Food Protesters Arrested as Wage Campaign Escalates

Source: Bloomberg

By Craig Giammona and Leslie Patton Sep 4, 2014 10:37 AM ET

Protesters clamoring for higher fast-food wages were arrested for blocking traffic during nationwide demonstrations, part of an effort by labor organizers to raise the profile of a movement that began in 2012.

At a McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) restaurant in Times Square, at least 19 people were arrested, including 14 men and five women, the New York Police Department said. Protesters were taken into custody for disorderly conduct when they blocked vehicles in front of the 42nd Street restaurant, Officer Arlene Muniz said.

The arrests were a coordinated strategy to escalate the campaign, said Kendall Fells, an organizing director with Fast Food Forward in New York. Rallies demanding a $15-an-hour wage for fast-food workers are planned in 150 U.S. cities today in what may be the largest labor action since the demonstrations began almost two years ago. More than 3 million workers prepare and serve food in the U.S., and they make $9.08 an hour on average, according to government data.

“I’m out here trying to have a better salary to pay for college,” said Christopher Espinosa, a protester who works a few blocks north of Times Square and took an unpaid day off to be at the demonstration. The 19-year-old, a freshman at Berkeley College who lives in the Bronx, has worked for McDonald’s for over a year, with his salary increasing to $8 from $7.25 in that time.

Read more: Link to source



Local radio reports some 30 protesters have been arrested in Detroit.
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Exultant Democracy

(6,594 posts)
6. Police Unions tend toward evil and disgusting behavior. Like fighting for Scott Walker in WI,
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 05:24 PM
Sep 2014

or covering up the crimes their members commit against society on an all to frequent basis. Every crooked cop has a crooked police union standing behind him.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
14. They get plenty of publicity without pissing everyone else off. Its not gonna get them $15 an hr.
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 10:52 PM
Sep 2014

people driving down the street dont own their franchises. It just makes you look bad, IMO. Its like when a crowd shows up at some bigshots house and takes over the front yard as a protest. They get in the news, but the average guy is gonna shake his head and think they're a bunch of assholes.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
15. Sure, but I support a gradual rise in the minimum wage. They're not gonna get 15 bucks
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 11:00 PM
Sep 2014

You instantly double the labor cost, and we'll be ordering burgers from a touch screen. The President isnt even pushing for a 15.00 wage.
It may sound good, but I live in the real world and counter help at a BK isnt gonna make 30K a year. Unless you live in North Dakota; I hear they're paying more than that up there.

Trillo

(9,154 posts)
4. At least the cops didn't shoot anyone.
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 01:37 PM
Sep 2014

Hope you activists and workers get your $15 per hour wage, but I have a bone to pick. $15 is NOT a living wage, and it's being claimed that it is, sort of creating a psyop. Back around the year 2003 or so, I calculated that $23 per hour was approaching a Living Wage.

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
13. Yep, I agree.......
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 08:49 PM
Sep 2014

A living wage based on the COL in each area, indexed to inflation. And a guaranteed job for anyone who wants one. If there's not enough work, cut the hours, WITHOUT CUTTING THE PAY. That's a good start.

reflection

(6,286 posts)
5. They arrested three people here in Memphis as well.
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 02:07 PM
Sep 2014

They were blocking Poplar Avenue, one of the main east/west corridors people use to get back and forth to work.

Earth_First

(14,910 posts)
9. I would contact the SEIU local in the city nearest you...
Thu Sep 4, 2014, 06:17 PM
Sep 2014

I'm sure they know of a way to put you in touch with a legal defense fund in your area!

Thanks for the help!

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