Hundreds of fast food workers walked off their jobs and staged vocal protests at several fast food locations Monday in New York and in other cities across the country. Organizers said that the turnout was the largest so far, with over 100 stores across the city targeted.
At a Wendy's on Nassau Street in Lower Manhattan, the crowd held "Strike for Higher Pay" signs and tried to deter customers from entering the fast food restaurant, chanting "Don't go in."
Some of those in the crowd were workers who had walked off the job at a mid-town McDonald's, and were now supporting the Wendy's workers. Three of them had walked off the job in the morning. One of them, Elva Godoy, complained that after working at McDonald's for nearly six years, she had only earned one 25 cent raise — bringing her pay to $7.50 per hour. "It's not enough for me. I have to support my family," Godoy said. "They increased the rent and the Metro card and I can't afford it."
Organizers said that fast food workers are earning wages that keep them living in poverty, while fast food corporations grow rapidly and earn high profits. They want wages increased to $15 an hour. They also want the workers to have the right to unionize.
McDonald's did not respond to several requests for comment. Wendy's released a statement saying it was proud to be a place where a diverse group of people could, " enter the workforce, gain life skills and advance through their own initiative."
This is the third demonstration by workers and their supporters since November, when this fledgling movement started. The protests have since spread nationally, with several other cities expected to see protests this week.
