Fast-food workers, labor activists and advocates waged a protest outside of the presidential debates at Hofstra University Monday. They wanted to make sure presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump didn’t forget.
New York fast-food workers walked off their jobs before the nationally televised presidential debate, adding to the list of work stoppages occurring around debates during this campaign year. Workers were joined by fast-food workers in Boston and Philadelphia, along with child care workers, home care workers, airport workers and social justice advocates.
“When I first went on strike nearly four years ago in New York, everyone thought we were crazy—$15/hour was never going to happen,” said Alvin Major, a New York City-based KFC worker who makes $10.50 an hour, in a statement. “But we kept walking off the job and raising our voices in the streets, and politicians finally responded to us. Now we won $15/hour in New York, California and cities across the country because governors, mayors, city council members and others realized we’re not going to stop until all workers win pay that allows us to support our families.”
But workers’ rights weren’t the only thing addressed. The diverse coalition of advocates, activists and concerned voters is fighting for education equity, immigration reform, environmental justice, racial justice, criminal justice reform and reproductive rights. Allied organizations joining in the protest include the Journeys for Justice Alliance, the National Action Network, New York Communities for Change, the National Institute for Reproductive Health and many more.
“When New York won $15/hour, I realized that we can do it in Philadelphia and all across the country,” said Alicia Hamiel, in a statement. “We need to bring this change to Philly, Kansas City, Houston, Boston, Phoenix, Miami and every city in between, because no one who works hard should have to ask extended family for rent money, or rely on government assistance for food. That’s why I’m traveling hours to tell candidates on both sides of the aisle that if they want our support, they have to promise to take the lead in supporting $15/hour and union rights.”
Hamiel works at a McDonald’s in Philadelphia and makes $7.75 an hour.
Alberto Grant Jr., a terminal cleaner at John F. Kennedy Airport, said that politicians will be put on notice if they don’t recognize the working people.
“This election, the 64 million workers paid under $15/hour are bringing together their friends, families, co-workers, church members and more to make sure candidates on both sides of the aisle know we refuse to be ignored any longer,” said Grant in a statement. “That’s how we won $15 in New York, and we can win it for all workers across the country. Because whether you’re an airport cleaner, a home care worker or a fast-food cook, low wages affect everyone.
This year we’re mobilizing because poverty wages won’t fly in America, and we’re going to use our power to elect candidates who are dedicated to creating jobs that lift our families and our communities out of poverty,” Grant concluded.