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| Philadelphia Teamsters support the strikers on Thursday morning. |
In the biggest one-day strike to date, fast-food workers walked off the job in 150 U.S. cities and planned protests in 30 cities overseas, including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Malawi, Morocco, New Zealand, Panama, and the United Kingdom. They were joined by community activists and union workers.
As restaurant workers protested their poverty wages, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced its two co-chief executives took home $50 million for 2013.
Workers all over the country are telling news reporters that they are sick of working for wages that don't cover food and rent. More than half of all fast food workers require some form of public assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps or the Earned Income Tax Credit, according to a university study.
The restaurant industry claims that teenagers working temporary, entry-level jobs fill the ranks of their employees. But studies show the average age of fast-food workers is 28, one-fourth of them are supporting a child and more than 30 percent have some college education.
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| Seattle Teamsters supporting fast food strikers |
Today, Philadelphia Teamsters were out early in Philadelphia -- 'looking militant as usual,' according to 15NowPhilly.
Hell yeah @teamsters out & looking militant as usual. Union united for ALL LOW WAGE WORKERS!They joined fast food workers from Burger King, Subway, Popeye's, Dunkin' Donuts and KFC who joined in the global effort. In addition to the request for higher livable wages, the workers want to form a union without retaliation.
Teamsters in Seattle started off the morning in solidarity with fast food workers, reported Jobs With Justice. According to the Associated Press,
Seattle demonstrators taking part in a national day one-day protest of low wages for fast-food workers started Thursday with a rally a Cal Anderson Park.
Taylor Farms, Teamsters and fast-food workers
Organizers said strike locations would be announced through the day, followed by a 4 p.m. rally at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle.In Oakland, Calif., Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers protested with fast-food strikers today as well. California Teamsters are engaged in a valiant organizing struggle with Taylor Farms food processing workers. Together with fast-food workers and other union members, Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers are fighting for laws that protect vulnerable temporary workers. In addition to demonstrating with fast-food strikers, today Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers met with California lawmakers such as Sen. Roger Hernandez and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who pledged their support.
As our friends at Union Solidarity International tweeted,
It’s time for trickle up economics.
