Fast Food Workers Across The US Are On Strike Today For $15 Minimum Wage

Fast-food workers across the United States are going on strike Tuesday to demand a $15 minimum wage. 

In honor of Black History Month, employees of McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s are organizing in support of an increase of the federal minimum wage. 

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$7.25 Current federal minimum wage

Restaurant workers in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Houston will also be joined by home care and nursing home workers in the fight for $15 minimum wages and the right to join a union. 

"For decades, McDonald’s has made billions in profit off the backs of workers like me, paying us starvation wages," said Taiwanna Milligan, a McDonald’s worker from Charleston, South Carolina.

Since its inception in 2012, lawmakers including Bernie Sanders have supported the Fight For $15 movement, which campaigns for liveable wages. 

"Millions of people are trying to survive on starvation wages," said Sanders. "For me, it’s morally imperative that we raise the minimum wage to a living wage that’s at least $15 an hour."

During his election campaign, President Joe Biden pledged to increase the minimum wage, but recently said that the increase may not make it into the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package he is trying to push through Congress.

"Fifteen dollars would mean I could spend more time with my children, not worry about going hungry, paying bills," shared Gloria Machuca, a McDonald’s worker from Houston, Texas. 

"My message to President Biden is it’s very important to pass this, it would make a big difference not just for me but for all the others that are struggling."