Fast-food protests over pay spread overseas
NEW YORK — Labor organizers turned up the pressure on McDonald’s and other fastfood chains to raise worker pay yesterday, with plans to stage actions in more than 30 countries.
The demonstrations build on a campaign by unions to bring attention to the plight of lowwage workers and get the public behind the idea of a $15-anhour wage.
Industry groups say such pay hikes would hurt their ability to create jobs and note that many of the participants are not workers.
The protests are being backed by the Service Employees International Union and began in New York City in late 2012. Since then, organizers have steadily ramped up actions to keep the issue in the spotlight.
In March, for instance, lawsuits filed in three states accused McDonald’s of denying breaks and engaging in other practices that deprive employees of their rightful pay. Workers were referred to lawyers by union organizers, who announced protests over “wage theft” the following week.
Turnout for the protests has varied widely. The scope of actions planned for overseas also differed depending on the country.
In Denmark, McDonald’s worker Louise Marie Rantzau said the plan was to take a photo outside Burger King or other restaurants and post it on social media. Rantzau, who earns about $21 an hour, said a collective agreement with McDonald’s in the country prevents workers from protesting the chain.
Images on social media showed workers demonstrating in other places including Dublin and Sao Paulo.
In New York City, a couple of hundred demonstrators beat drums, blew whistles and chanted in the rain outside a Domino’s for about a half-hour.
“Corporations are able to make money — millions and billions of dollars. We should be able to make a decent salary so we can take care of our families,” said Sheila Brown, a mother of four who works at a KFC restaurant.