Atlanta Fast Food Workers Join National Protest Over Low Pay
Fast food workers in Atlanta walked off the job Thursday as part of a nationwide protest over low pay.
A group of about 60 protestors made up of fast food workers, labor organizers, and others demonstrated in front of and inside a West Atlanta Burger King.
“We can’t survive on $7.25!”
After about 15 minutes of chanting, police arrived and protestors filed out peacefully.
Qiana Shields of Southwest Atlanta works at that Burger King and another one close by. After three years at both locations, she’s still making the federal minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. She struggles putting food on the table for her young daughter.
“$7.25 at both jobs. No matter how many hours you get, you still can’t never get ahead. You’re always behind,” said Shields.
The protest was part of national efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Dozens of U.S. cities held similar protests.
Roger Sikes, an organizer with Atlanta Jobs with Justice, said Atlanta in particular needs to set an example.
“It’s not abstract in Atlanta. We’re a service sector economy. If we want to address poverty, wealth inequality, if we want our city to rise, these are the jobs that need to be organized and improved,” said Sikes.
President Obama and Senate Democrats say they want the minimum wage raised to $10 an hour, but House Republicans and business groups say it would hurt growth and increase prices for customers.
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