Fast Food Workers Striking in Seattle

OccupySantaFe ‏@OccupySantaFe

"Beginning at 10:30 pm Pacific Time Wednesday, workers at dozens of Seattle fast food locations began striking,... http://fb.me/1t9TWQ537



Ratdogfreak ‏@ratdogfreak

The #FightFor15 hits Seattle! http://www.thenation.com/blog/174577/fast-food-workers-striking-seattle … #StrikePoverty #OccupySeattle


http://www.thenation.com/blog/174577/fast-food-workers-striking-seattle

Beginning at 10:30 pm Pacific Time Wednesday, workers at dozens of Seattle fast food locations began striking, launching the nation’s seventh work stoppage by fast food employees in eight weeks. Organizers expect workers from chains including McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, Arby’s, Chipotle, Qdoba and Jack in the Box to participate in the walkout, which will last roughly twenty-four hours.

“I’m sick of seeing my co-workers and me essentially get pushed and pushed and barely be able to eat,” Taco Bell employee Caroline Durocher told The Nation Wednesday. “And I think it’s time that we pushed them back.” Durocher said she’s hopeful that both co-workers on her late night shift will walk off the job with her.

Like recent fast food strikers in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Detroit, the Seattle strikers are holding a one-day walkout to demand a raise to $15 per hour and the right to form a union without intimidation. Like those cities’ strikes, Seattle’s is supported by a coalition of labor and community groups; in each case, the Service Employees International Union has been involved in supporting the organizing efforts. The Seattle campaign, Good Jobs Seattle, is backed by groups including Working Washington, the Washington Community Action Network and OneAmerica.

The Seattle strike comes two weeks after New York’s fast food workers campaign released a report alleging rampant wage theft in the industry, and hours after the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced plans for a nationwide tour focused on low wages and economic inequality. It also follows a day-long strike last week in Washington, DC, staged by federally-contracted workers—including fast food employees at federal buildings—demanding that President Obama take executive action to improve their working conditions.

(More at the link. SURE, Occupy is dead...)