Fast-Food Workers Turn Up the Heat

[marmar]

[font size="1"]Fast-food workers rally at 87th street in Chicago as part of a nationwide action on September 4. (Amien Essif)[/font]

(In These Times) “Paddy wagon’s on its way,” announced a Chicago Police tactical officer over his radio early this morning. Shortly thereafter, a crowd of about 300 demonstrators—including over 100 striking fast food workers—began chanting “Take the street!” and proceeded to do just that. Marching between a McDonald’s on one side of the road and a Burger King on the other, the crowd blocked 87th street traffic on Chicago’s south side for about 20 minutes.

The action was the latest escalation in the fast-food workers’ campaign for a $15 minimum hourly wage and the right to form a union without retaliation. Two dozen workers proceeded to link arms and sit down in the road in an act of civil disobedience, prompting the police to take them away in handcuffs.

As Tyree Johnson awaited arrest by advancing police officers, he explained to Working In These Times why he was willing to go to jail.“I’m still living at the poverty level,” said Johnson, who has been employed by McDonald’s since 1992. “After 22 years, they refuse to pay me a decent living wage.” Johnson and his compatriates were taken to patrol cars, and 19 were cited and released this morning.

Later in the day, another two dozen protesters were arrested in a separate action on Chicago's West Side. By midday, arrests had taken place in cities including New York, Boston, Detroit and Las Vegas, with more actions planned later in the day in what organizers are calling the biggest fast-food workers' strike yet in the national push for "15 and a union," which began in November 2012. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/17139/fast_food_workers_turn_up_the_heat1

[yeoman6987]

1. I don't think blocking city traffic

Is going to get any fans. Protesting on the sidewalk would be noticeable to a person driving to work and would likely see the positive in the strike. Causing a 20 minute back up that contributes to global warming was not the best way to express themselves in my opinion.

[marions ghost]

2. Too easy to drive by...

A blockage gets attention. 20 minutes is nothing compared to Gov Christie's days of bottleneck.

[yeoman6987]

3. I totally get you....I do

And what you are saying, but the only ones that actually see the activity are the ones waiting along the main part of the street. Anyone else could think an accident while they are texting on their phone in stopped traffic. I can't believe that nobody would miss seeing 500 people with sign and not know what was going on. However, what is done is done. Hopefully they will be successful in their mission.

[marions ghost]

4. Yeah OK

most people in cars will know it's a demonstration. I wouldn't be surprised if the way this was being heralded that some commuters knew to take another route. And those texting could find out what was going on...

I'm not too critical of how they conduct a protest unless it becomes violent--that is no good. But causing a traffic delay....well, meh. I am glad to see people being visible on these issues.

The invisible exploited, underpaid, under-appreciated workers of our society.

[yeoman6987]

5. Well regardless, we will find out the success or failure of this

Soon enough when the results start happening....or not.

[marions ghost]

8. They are speaking truth

about what's fair and morally right. Resisting exploitation and asking for a decent wage. So that in itself is positive. As for results, of course the greedy will try to block any progress on min wage as they have for--how long? Can't even remember. This is way overdue.

So whether it brings immediate results as far as wages, remains to be seen. Meanwhile these exploitative businesses deserve to lose business from those in solidarity with the workers.

People, do NOT buy fast food where these workers are protesting!

[Jackpine Radical]

9. It would be even better if they voluntarily confined themselves

to a Free Speech zone somewhere, no doubt. That way they wouldn't risk distracting any passing drivers with their picket line on the sidewalk and causing accidents.

[Laelth]

6. k&r for labor. n/t

-Laelth

[xchrom]

7. du rec.