strike15

Several protesters were detained by police in Chicago as they gathered outside a McDonald’s in Chatham to demand $15 an hour for all fast food workers.

A few protesters who were sitting down refused to leave from in front of the restaurant, located on the city’s South Side. 

From ABC 7:

They were forcibly removed by officers. Some were handcuffed. Between 10 and 20 were detained by police.

Hundreds of fast food workers gathered outside a McDonald’s in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood to demand a higher minimum wage.

Kimberly, a McDonald’s employee who works in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, was led away by the arm and into a squad car. “We can’t feed no one with $8.25,” Kimberly said. “So we’re going to take the arrest. We’re going to jail.”

Many said they were prepared for this outcome, because they’re fighting to support their families and their friends. Many have worked at fast food restaurants for years with only a meager raise that keeps their pay below $9 an hour.

Read more at ABC 7

A separate protest was scheduled at a McDonald’s in west suburban Cicero. Workers from McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and other fast-food chains across the country planned rallies in 150 cities in an effort to raise the minimum wage.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a hike to $13 an hour for the city. He also signed an executive order Wednesday requiring that level of compensation for all workers contracted or subcontracted by the city.

 

Should the minimum wage be raised to $15? If not, what’s an appropriate living wage for fast food and retail workers?

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