Detroit Sees Largest Fast-Food Strike in U.S. History [View all]

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Supersized Labor: Detroit Sees Largest Fast-Food Strike in U.S. History
Takepart.com – 5 hrs ago


When Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder signed controversial “right-to-work” legislation last December, it was a significant policy defeat for the American labor movement. But the symbolism of anti-union laws passing in Michigan was even more potent. In 1936, United Auto Workers members occupied a General Motors factory in Flint, MI, beginning what came to be known as the Flint Sit-Down Strike. The action led to the organizing of the automotive industry and helped spur the modern labor movement in the United States.

Today, workers are striking in Michigan once again, but the picket line isn’t in front of an automotive factory. Following surprise strikes in New York, Chicago and, earlier this week, St. Louis, fast-food workers across Detroit walked off the job today, demanding the right to form a union and a base-pay rate of $15 per hour.

In the introduction to a petition on detroit15.org, a group involved in organizing the walkout, the impetus for the strike is laid out in more detail

Our employers—thriving corporations like McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Dollar Tree, Little Caesar’s, Domino’s, Long John Silver’s and others—are making billions of dollars, but they pay us poverty wages as we struggle with our coworkers to support our families and cover our basic needs. .........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/supersized-labor-detroit-sees-largest-fast-food-strike-191710477.html