June, 22 2015, 03:15pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Fast Food Workers Converge at Final Wage board Hearing iwth Emotional Testimony About Why Their Families Need $15 to Survive
Galvanizing Support for Governor Cuomo’s Historic Wage Board, Fast Food Workers Deliver Stacks of 160,000 Petition Signatures in Support of $15
ALBANY, New York
In their final opportunity to testify publicly about what it's like trying to support a family in New York on $8.75, hundreds of cooks and cashiers from McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC converged on the last fast food wage board held in Albany on Monday. Saying that having extra money in their pockets would not only be beneficial to their families but to the economy as well, fast food workers made their case for $15.
"I can't stand to think that my children will grow up worrying about whether there's going to be a roof over their heads or food in their lunchboxes," saidJareema Vanison, who works at an Albany McDonald's. "I want what every parent wants-- for my kids to grow up feeling safe and secure, with a bright future-- and I just can't promise that making as little as I do. That's why I urge the wage board to recommend $15. It's not just for me, it's for my family, and it's for our future."
We Interrupt This Article with an Urgent Message! Common Dreams is a not-for-profit news service. All of our content is free to you - no subscriptions; no ads. We are funded by donations from our readers. Our critical Mid-Year fundraiser is going very slowly - only 902 readers have contributed so far. We must meet our goal before we can end this fundraising campaign and get back to focusing on what we do best. |
The workers delivered stacks of 160,000 petition signatures in support of a $15 fast food minimum wage, gathered over the course of the past month -- concretely demonstrating support for their cause.
The worker's call for $15 also had support of a wide range of powerful progressive organizations including New York Communities for Change, Make the Road, the Working Families Party, MoveOn, Brigade, CREDO Action, Democracy for America, Citizen Action of New York, Strong Economy for All Coalition and Ultraviolet.
"By sticking together and speaking out, New Yorkers are leading the way to a new standard for fast-food workers and our families across the country,"said Ashona Osborne, an Arby's worker from Pittsburgh and a member of the National Organizing Committee of the Fight for $15, who traveled all the way to Albany to support fast food workers in New York State. "Workers from Pittsburgh to Pasadena urge Gov. Cuomo's Wage Board to recommend $15 an hour for New York's fast-food workers. When workers in New York--where our movement started in 2012--win $15, workers everywhere win."
Just before the doors opened for the last of four wage board hearings scheduled in New York State, fast food workers and their allies in clergy, labor and government gathered outside to voice their support for $15--rallying around the idea that a meaningful wage hike would stimulate local economies from Long Island to Rochester, and free workers from dependence on food stamps and other government services.
"It makes no sense that employees of some of the richest corporations in the United States should have to rely on our local property taxpayer's dollars for subsidies just to survive," said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. "We are pleased that a state wage board has been empanelled and urge the board to do the right thing and recommend a $15 minimum wage for fast-food workers of national chains. It's the right thing to do for the workers, their children and for the local property taxpayers too."
"At my small business, I start my employees at $15 an hour and believe that every employee in every industry in New York should be paid a living wage. That's why I'm here today calling on the Wage Board to act to ensure all workers are paid a wage that allows them to pay their bills," said Amy Collins, owner of New Shelves Publishing Services. "If I can afford it, so can McDonald's."
Fast food workers have brought the Fight for $15 to national prominence. After expanding the fight to more than 230 US cities and across the globe, and winning $15 minimum wage in Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, the campaign is turning its sights back on New York State--looking to make it the first with a statewide $15 minimum.
"I applaud fast food workers in the State of New York and across the country who have been holding the line for the last three years advocating for themselves and their families," said Albany Common Council Member Dorcey Applyrs. "The time is now to stop talking about income inequality and start giving a hand-up to our fast food workers. Let's raise the wage to $15."
According to a recently released report by the National Employment Law Project, fast food jobs have taken an outsized role in the economy in recent years, growing 57 percent between 2000 and 2014. Private sector jobs overall grew only 7 percent during the same period.
The more than 182,000 fast food workers in New York State are among the lowest paid workers not only in New York but in the country. Full-time employment in a fast food job still leaves a worker under the poverty line, and requires supplementing with food stamps, Medicaid, and other social services.
Fifty-two percent of fast food workers nationally - higher than any other industry--have at least one family member on food stamps, Medicaid or other social services, costing taxpayers $7 billion in public assistance nationwide. New York taxpayers subsidize fast food corporations to the tune of $700 million a year in public assistance to fast food workers.
The fast food industry can afford to do better. While workers struggle to meet basic quality of life thresholds like shelter and food security, the fast food industry is booming amid increased sales and worker productivity: it posted $551 billion in global profits in 2014, a number which is projected to grow to $645 billion by 2018.
Elected leaders, community activists and economic experts spoke about the effect that a $15 fast food minimum wage would have for workers, and for struggling communities all over the State.
"New York's Wage Board hearings have been democracy in action," said Bill Lipton, State Director of the New York Working Families Party. "The members of the board have now heard from fast food workers all across this state why they and their families need a living wage-- $15 an hour--and why they need it now. They have an opportunity to fundamentally transform the lives of fast food workers, and should not let it pass by. The Working Families Party strongly urges all three members of the Wage Board to raise the fast food minimum wage to $15 an hour."
"Most New Yorkers are working harder than ever before, while wages have been stuck in place for decades. If corporations like McDonald's had shared our nation's economic progress fairly with employees, the minimum wage would be more than $18 an hour," said Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York. "That's why it's critical that the Wage Board take action to boost pay in the fast-food industry to $15 and make the Empire State a leader again for working families and the middle class."
"Economists say that slow wage growth is the biggest problem in the American economy right now: Governor Cuomo and the Wage Board should attack the problem head-on by boosting the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour," said Michael Kink, Executive Director of the StrongEconomy for All Coalition. "It will help workers, it will help families and it will help power the New York economy from the bottom up."
"A lack of good paying jobs forces people who are working hard every day to turn to social services as a means to bridge the gap between their low pay and the actual cost of living and raising a family. It's time to close that gap," said Shana Davis,President of the Capital District Chapter Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. "The wage board can do it by backing $15. Without an increase to the minimum wage, hundreds of thousands of workers will continue to fall behind."
"The wage board can be moral trail-blazers by doing do the right thing and backing a $15 an hour fair wage for fast-food workers," said Reverend Valerie Faust, Pastor of Rhema Power Ministries.
"I work at Taco Bell, and my sister works at McDonald's. We're supporting our mother and my son. We cannot make it on minimum wage anymore. We need $15 an hour and we need it now. Without it, my son will be one child in another whole generation of children in Rochester growing up in poverty,"said Joscline Harvey, a Taco Bell employee from Rochester.
LATEST NEWS
'Blood Is on Your Hands!' Activists Disrupt $26 Million Biden Fundraiser
"We will continue to raise our voices of dissent until Palestinians are free," said one activist with Jewish Voice for Peace.
Mar 29, 2024
Palestinian youth and descendants of Holocaust survivors were among those who protested a record-breaking fundraiser for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign at New York City's Radio City Music Hall late Thursday, repeatedly interrupting the glitzy event with shouts of opposition to Israel's U.S.-backed war on Gaza.
"You are all complicit in genocide!" one activist yelled as security escorted her from the venue. As Biden spoke, another demonstrator shouted: "Palestinians are dying because of your actions... Blood is on your hands!"
The president said during his remarks that there have been "too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian."
"It's understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there," Biden said. "But we must, in fact, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians, particularly children."
BREAKING: Palestinian youth, descendants of Holocaust survivors, doctors, and climate activists disrupt the biggest fundraiser in the history of the Democratic Party at NYC’s iconic Radio City Music Hall calling on @POTUS to Stop Arming Israel pic.twitter.com/qcIKOtxhbj
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) March 29, 2024
The disruption was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the Palestinian Youth Movement, and other advocacy groups. JVP said some ticketholders were denied entry to the fundraiser. In recent weeks, the Biden campaign has worked to shield the president from Gaza-related protests by holding smaller rallies and carefully vetting attendees.
"We refused to be silenced," Jay Saper of JVP said Thursday. "We will continue to raise our voices of dissent until Palestinians are free."
In a statement late Thursday, the Biden campaign didn't acknowledge the protests, calling the gathering of celebrities and high-profile Democratic figures—including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama—"the most successful political fundraising event in the history of American politics."
The event raised a staggering $26 million for the incumbent president's reelection bid against presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, Biden's campaign said. Ticket prices ranged from $225 to $500,000.
"More money got donors more intimate time with the presidents," according toThe Associated Press. "A photo with all three was $100,000. A donation of $250,000 earned donors access to one reception, and $500,000 got them into an even more exclusive gathering."
Outside the venue, Palestinian rights advocates marched in the streets to condemn Biden's unwavering support for Israel's military as it massacres and starves Gazans.
"Joe Biden has been enabling the genocide," Jacob Sierra, a 27-year-old protest attendee, toldThe New York Times. Sierra said he is a registered Democrat and voted for Biden in 2020.
A Gallup poll released earlier this week showed that an overwhelming majority of Democratic voters, including young people and other key elements of the Democratic base, oppose Israel's military assault on the Gaza Strip. The survey found that just 18% of Democratic voters currently approve of Israel's war, down from 36% in November.
Scenes from Biden's fundraiser in NY.
This previews what will happen at the Democratic Convention in August.
While running on a platform of saving American democracy from Trump, Biden is tearing the Democratic party apart with his blind support for Israel's slaughter in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/u0w2JypBEF
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) March 29, 2024
Widespread outrage over Biden's diplomatic and military support for Israel's assault has sparked mounting concerns among some Democratic donors and activists.
Last week, more than 100 of them signed a letter warning that "because of the disillusionment of a critical portion of the Democratic coalition, the Gaza war is increasing the chances of a Trump victory."
"We are asking the Biden administration immediately to change course," the party donors and activists wrote. "Conditions need to be placed and monitored on any further military, financial, or diplomatic aid. All indiscriminate bombing and demolition must stop."
Keep ReadingShow Less
To Push for Bold Treaty, Greenpeace Unveils Biden's Plastic Legacy Monument
"He can be the president who put an end to the plastic pollution crisis, or he can be the one who let it spiral out of control."
Mar 28, 2024
Inspired by Atlas, who in Greek mythology carried the heavens on his shoulders, Greenpeace installed a 15-foot monument outside the U.S. Capitol on Thursday to pressure the Biden administration to support an ambitious global plastics treaty.
President Joe Biden "has the chance to cement a lasting legacy: He can be the president who put an end to the plastic pollution crisis, or he can be the one who let it spiral out of control," Greenpeace oceans director John Hocevar said in a statement. "We're calling on him to stand up to plastic polluters like Exxon and Dow and put us on a greener and healthier path."
The third round of treaty talks ended in Kenya late last year with little progress—largely thanks to fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists along with allied governments. The next round of negotiations is set to be held in Canada next month.
The "Biden's Plastic Legacy" monument features the president kneeling and holding up an Earth full of plastic. The base has a written message: "Biden, the world's in your hands. Is this your plastic legacy?"
"Plastic pollution is everywhere, impacting every aspect of our lives. It affects our health, harms our communities, and fuels the climate crisis."
The statue's unveiling ceremony included remarks from Dr. Leo Trasande, a world-renowned environmental health researcher at New York University, and Jo Banner, who lives in Louisiana's Cancer Alley and co-directs the Descendants Project, an environmental justice group.
"The communities of color that live among the plastic manufacturers are first in line for the toxic mix of pollution they produce," said Banner. "Our health, bodies, and communities matter. We refuse to be treated as a mere checkmark on a list of concerns, and we cannot continue to be sacrificial zones."
"We need President Biden to truly listen to our needs and help create a strong global plastics treaty that protects communities like ours," she added. "We must ensure that Cancer Alley is confined to the past, not a part of the future we gift our children."
Trasande noted that in addition to the public health argument for cleaning up the plastic industry, there's an economic one.
"The chemicals found in plastics cost our economy hundreds of billions of dollars because of increases in disease and disability," the doctor said. "The easiest way to stop these diseases is to address plastic production, and a strong global treaty is essential, for people here in the U.S. and around the world."
Research has repeatedly shown the pervasiveness of plastic pollution. A January study found that there are 240,000 plastic particles in the average liter of bottled water. Last September, researchers discovered microplastics in clouds, potentially "contaminating nearly everything we eat and drink via 'plastic rainfall.'"
A 2022 Greenpeace report revealed that U.S. households "generated an estimated 51 million tons of plastic waste" the previous year, and the vast majority ended up in landfills or as pollution.
"Plastic pollution is everywhere, impacting every aspect of our lives. It affects our health, harms our communities, and fuels the climate crisis," Greenpeace campaigner Kate Melges said Thursday.
"The global plastics treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a cleaner, safer planet," Melges argued. "President Biden must rise to this moment by supporting a strong plastics treaty that prioritizes human health, cuts production, and ensures a just transition for workers and communities."
Keep ReadingShow Less
'Justice Is Delayed' as Judges OK Rigged South Carolina Map for Elections
"I'm disappointed it appears 30,000 people lost their political voice and nobody seems to care," said one Democratic congressional candidate from the affected district.
Mar 28, 2024
Voting rights defenders on Thursday decried a federal panel's
decision to let South Carolina use a congressional map the three judges found to be racially gerrymandered in this year's primary and general elections due to the U.S. Supreme Court's delayed resolution of the case.
The three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for South Carolina in Columbia ruled last August that "race was the predominant motivating factor" in the Republican-controlled state Legislature's design of the 1st Congressional District "and that traditional districting principles subordinated to race."
Their ruling, which ordered the redrawing of the map, noted that "Charleston County was racially gerrymandered and over 30,000 African Americans were removed from their home district."
"Make no mistake—these discriminatory maps are a direct attempt to suppress Black voices ahead of a consequential election."
In their new decision, the judges acknowledged the awkward predicament of ordering the use of an unconstitutional map.
"But with the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending, and no remedial plan in place, the ideal must bend to the practical," they asserted.
Brenda Murphy, president of the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, said: "Make no mistake—these discriminatory maps are a direct attempt to suppress Black voices ahead of a consequential election. We will not stand idly by as the rights of thousands of South Carolinians continue to be overlooked."
"The court's ruling today, further delaying these proceedings, continues to tip the scale of justice during a crucial moment in our democracy in an undemocratic attempt to sway the outcome of the upcoming election," Murphy added. "We must strive for a system where every voice is heard and every vote counts, free from the stain of discrimination."
Last October, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case, which was filed in 2021 by the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP and voter Taiwan Scott. They are represented by the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the ACLU of South Carolina, Boroughs Bryant LLC, Arnold & Porter, and the General Counsel's Office of the NAACP.
As Democracy Docket noted Thursday: "The parties asked the Supreme Court for a decision by January 1, 2024. Nearly three months later, the court still hasn't ruled on the case, creating a dire situation for congressional candidates as the candidate filing period started on March 16 and will end on Monday."
Joshua Douglas, a professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, said on social media that "someone should write an article about the number of times jurisdictions have been allowed to use an illegal map because there's 'not enough time' to create a fair, legal one."
Douglas noted states where this has occurred, including Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, North Carolina, "and now South Carolina."
South Carolina primary voters will head to the polls on June 11.
The 1st Congressional District is represented by Congresswoman Nancy Mace, a Republican. On Thursday, she toldThe Post and Courier that the judges' ruling "makes sense."
"It's only fair candidates know what the lines are," Mace said. "For us, I just want to know what constituents I'm serving."
Michael B. Moore, a Democrat running for the seat, called the decision "regrettable."
"I'm disappointed it appears 30,000 people lost their political voice," he said, "and nobody seems to care."
Keep ReadingShow Less
Most Popular