Fast Food Workers Strike in New York

[bjl584]

http://inplainsight.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/04/17587032-fast-food-workers-strike-citing-low-wages-its-not-enough?lite

"It's not enough," Elba Godoy, a crew member at a McDonald's just a few blocks from Times Square, said of her $7.25-per-hour minimum wage, which helps support her extended family of seven. "They don't like [that we're out here], but we have to do it. We cannot survive on $7.25."

"Godoy and her colleagues are seeking a raise to $15 an hour and the right to form a union without retaliation. The walkout is part of a national movement by low-wage workers to raise wages and gain rights."

“The workers aren’t in a fight with management,” he said, “they’re in a fight with technology.” At some point, he said, “the cost of service is going to get trumped by the customers’ demand for lower prices,” and people will be replaced by less expensive machines, like a burger-making robot being marketed by a San Francisco company."

[JoeP]

To support higher wages, I'm not sure customers are ready to pay more for fast food, nor do I think companies are ready to divert more of their revenue toward wages.

Facing these conditions, I would think the more practical solution would be for employees to either move to a location with lower costs of living so that their money goes further, or find employment somewhere that pays more.

[MonkeyMama]

Yikes!

I totally agree with Joe. BUT, having lived in one of the highest cost regions in the U.S., that is one of the perks for younger, uneducated folk. Our state minimum wage is higher than that AND most employers pay more than minimum wage. So, I must admit I am shocked that they are only paying their workers $7.25 per hour. I can see both sides of the coin.

[riverwed070707]

Yikes!

I totally agree with Joe. BUT, having lived in one of the highest cost regions in the U.S., that is one of the perks for younger, uneducated folk. Our state minimum wage is higher than that AND most employers pay more than minimum wage. So, I must admit I am shocked that they are only paying their workers $7.25 per hour. I can see both sides of the coin.

Agree. On the one hand, I feel like that isn't even enough to cover the daily commute to work in NYC. On the other, I don't think most people could support a family of 7 on a McDonalds income in any part of the country.

[Baby_nurse]

These types of jobs were never meant to support a family of 7. These were meant as entry level jobs for high school and college students. It's unfortunate that adults are having to take them to try and make ends meet, but demanding the wages be doubled because of that doesn't make sense.