Food workers plan rally, strike

A few local fast-food workers plan to join a national movement Tuesday to demand an increased living wage.

Workers from more than 250 cities, including a few from Jackson, are planning to strike to show support of a $15 an hour wage and the right to unionize.

The walkouts will be followed by protests in 500 cities by low-wage workers in such sectors as fast food and home and child care, a statement by organizers of the Fight for $15 campaign said on Monday.

Organizers says this is not about endorsing a specific candidate, party or piece of legislation, but calling attention to the pool of potential voters earning less than $15 an hour.

The strikes and protests will include workers from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, KFC and other restaurants, the statement said.

The protests come a year ahead of the presidential election, with the minimum wage issue taking center stage in campaign rallies.

Most of the Republican candidates oppose raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour, saying it will hurt job growth.

But Kendall said, “This is not about a candidate, and it’s not about a party”, adding workers will vote for candidates of any party that support the cause.

Tens of thousands of workers and supporters were expected to take part in today’s demonstrations, which began around dawn at McDonald’s outlets in downtown Brooklyn, Boston and Philadelphia, among other locations.

Tuesday marks exactly one year until the presidential election. He says he has never voted because, “I truly thought my vote wouldn’t matter much”, and he was just “trying to make it to the next day”.

The workers’ crusade for $15 seemed quixotic when it began in November 2012 in NY City. A few cities also have set minimum wages above their states’ level.