Oakland Fast Food Workers Demand $15 and Union Rights
Sep 5, 2014
Posted in Business, Community, Lbor
Oakland rally for fast food workers Thursday in McDonald’s at 45th Street and Telegraph Avenue. Photos by Ken Epstein
By Post Staff
A number of Oakland fast-food workers walked off their jobs Thursday to support demands for wages increases of $15 and hour and union rights at rally inside Oakland McDonald’s at Telegraph Avenue and 45th Street.
The rally at the Oakland McDonald’s included workers from Burger King, KFC and Wendy’s and was part of workplace actions and civil disobedience in over 150 cities nationwide.
“They always ask us what we’re fighting for – It’s $15 and a union. We´re not going to stop,” said Christopher Higgenbotham, a five-year employee at McDonald’s, speaking on a bullhorn at a rally of about 100 protesters who packed who marched into the restaurant at 4514 Telegraph Ave a little after 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
“We do really hard work. A lot of people don’t understand what goes on behind the counter,” said Rhonesha Victor, a two-year KFC Taco Bell employee.
Fast food worker Rhonesha Victor speaks at rally
“We do really hard work. A lot of people don’t understand what goes on behind the counter,” said Rhonesha Victor, a two-year KFC Taco Bell employee.
Also speaking was Mary Kay Henry, national president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which is backing the fast-food organizing drive.
Fast Food workers have inspired a movement across the economy,” said Henry, pointing to organizing efforts by home healthcare employees and other low-wage workers.
Clergy, elected officials and community supporters joined fast-food workers on the strike lines.
Speakers at the rally included included SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and Christopher Higgenbotham, a five-year employee at McDonald’s .
For nearly two years, fast-food workers at McDonald’s and other chain restaurants have been joining together and going on strike, calling for $15 and the right to form a union without retaliation.
A campaign started in New York City in
November 2012, with 200 fast-food workers walking off their jobs. Since then, the movement has spread to more than 150 cities in every region of the country, including the South.
This new labor movement is challenging the may that fast-food workers are teenagers looking for pocket change. Today’s workers are mothers and fathers struggling to raise children.
Follow the nationwide actions at www.strikefastfood.org and #StrikeFastFood.
Speakers at the rally included included SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and Christopher Higgenbotham, a five-year employee at McDonald’s .
Speakers at the rally included included SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and Christopher Higgenbotham, a five-year employee at McDonald’s .