News / Reports

US workers strike to call for higher wages

Thursday, 16 April 2015 6:11 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 16 April 2015 6:10 AM ]

Ross Frasier
Press TV, Los Angeles

Workers at fast food restaurants have walked off the job to demand higher wages.
The demonstration is the latest in the Fight for 15 campaign, which wants fast food workers to make at least 15 dollars an hour.

This is the largest strike to hit the fast food industry in Los Angeles since the Fight for 15 campaign began more than 3 years ago.The average fast-food worker in Los Angeles makes 8 dollars an hour, or an estimated 11,000 dollars a year.Workers say the money for higher wages is there but the corporations just don’t want to pay it.

Although the movement began with fast food, more low wage workers are now taking part.The demonstration also included home care workers, Walmart workers and adjunct professors. McDonald’s released a statement highlighting the recent wage increases for employees of company owned stores.

The company says franchise stores decide their own wages.But workers say the corporation could do more to boost pay across the board. The protest also marked Tax Day in the US Organizers say they wanted to bring attention to the amount taxpayers spend on public assistance for low-wage workers.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir