CHICAGO— As March 8th marks one week from the Illinois Primary Election, women fast food workers will prove themselves as a political force on International Women's Day and demand that elected officials support $15 an hour & union rights, and pay attention to the economic concerns of women, families and working people.
Fast-food workers will join with community members at the Rock N' Roll McDonald's to rally at 10:00 a.m. to demand immigration justice, an end to age discrimination, as well as gender and language inequalities in the workplace. Elderly McDonald's women workers will give testimony about their discrimination/abuse to show why McDonald's and politicians need to step up. The action will include a march at the store's location, followed by a rally and speak out. Workers will also participate by holding signs and chanting songs to demand respect and dignity in the workplace.
As the Fight for $15 builds a political front ahead of the 2016 election, the New York Times and USA Today have both warned candidates who ignore the growing movement that they do so "at their own peril." Meanwhile, the Associated Press said underpaid workers are flexing, "increasingly potent political muscle," and BuzzFeed has said they "could make up a powerful new voting bloc."
WHO:
Chicago women fast-food women workers. Families. Children. Community.
WHAT:
International Women's Day rally to demand $15, union rights, immigration reform from elected officials & call on McDonald's to end workplace discrimination & abuse
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 8, 2016; 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Rock N' Roll McDonald's, 600 N. Clark St
WHY:
Approximately two-thirds of fast food workers are women and most are over the age of 32. More than a third of fast food workers age 20 or older are raising at least one child. Almost half of low income working mothers are employed in retail and service sector jobs that pay low-wages, limit hours and fail to provide benefits such as health and paid sick leave. Low wage jobs require women to work nonstandard work schedules, making it more difficult for them to manage work, family, school and studying.
The majority of workers in the fast food industry are women and many report being verbally and physically abused. Additionally, elderly women workers report being discriminated against because of their age.
This primary season, fast food workers in the Fight for $15 are demanding "Come Get My Vote" to politicians, forcing them to address the demands of the nearly 64 million Americans who are paid less than $15, and specifically the 2.5 million workers in Illinois who are paid less than $15/hr.