Fast food workers were set to rally at 6 a.m. this morning, calling for $15 an hour wages and the right to form a union without retaliation from the employer. There are 150 cities in total taking part in the rally, including Hamden, Hartford and Bloomfield. It will expand around the world from Japan to Brazil.
Rallies are expected to take place at fast food restaurants including Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonalad’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. This is not the first time workers have walked off their job. For the past couple of years, they have taken a risk to protest and fight for higher earnings.
Elected officials and community supporters are expected to support the protesters. Many of the workers you’ll see this morning are mothers and fathers struggling to raise a family on low wages. Currently, minimum wage in Connecticut is $8.70 per hour and will rise to $10.10 by 2017.
The state became the first in the nation to pass legislation increasing minimum wage to $10.10 – the same rate President Barack Obama wants federally. McDonald’s is one chain that has been widely targeted in these protests. The company issued a statement addressing the criticism.
“It`s important to know approximately 80 percent of our global restaurants are independently owned and operated by small business owners, who are independent employers that comply with local and federal laws,” McDonald’s said.
Workers will join the picket line at 6 a.m. at Wendy’s on Dixwell Avenue.