On this day in Labor History the year was 2012.
That was the day that more than 100 fast food workers in New York City walked off the job.
They held a one-day strike for better wages and the right to form a union.
It was the biggest fast food worker strike up to that time.
The movement soon grew to be much, much bigger.
Their demand was simple and memorable, a fifteen-dollar minimum wage.
The slogan became the Fight for Fifteen and a Union.
The campaign found an ally in the Service Employees International Union.
By August of 2013, the movement held a “National Strike Against Low Pay” day of action.
Fast food workers and their supporters held demonstrations in 60 cities.
Today the movement has spread to 300 cities, and beyond the United States.
While protestors have gathered at many fast food chains, McDonalds has become a focus of the campaign.
Protestors have held annual one-day demonstrations at McDonalds headquarters, just outside of Chicago.
The campaign has seen victories.
Both New York and California have passed a $15 minimum wage.
So has the city of Seattle.
Although it is a national, and even international movement, it is also a grassroots effort.
In each city different local groups are involved.
In Kansas City, fast food women workers have formed the Fannie Lou Hamer Women’s Committee.
They named their group after the Civil Rights champion.
They take inspiration from her famous quote that she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
For many involved in Fight for Fifteen, this sums up their involvement.
It is a movement for the respect and dignity of workers, and the right to earn a living wage.
May 18 - The TVA Transforms the South
May 17 - Striking for Dignity and Respect
May 16 - Minneapolis Teamsters Lead the Way
May 15 - The Winnipeg General Strike Begins
May 14 - Wobblies On the Waterfront
May 13 - Women Strike Tolteca Foods
May 12 - Of ICE Raids & Union Busting
May 11 - Organizing in the Fields
May 10 - Bankruptcy Bonanza for Big Bankers
May 9 - The Historic ‘34 West Coast Maritime Strike Begins
May 8 - Mary Marcy is Born
May 7 - Popeye The Union Man
May 6 - FDR Rolls Out the WPA
May 5 - The Bay View Massacre
May 4 - UE Beats Back HUAC in Dayton
May 3 - First Workers Compensation Law is Passed
May 2 - Our Thing is DRUM!
May 1 - Mayday Marchers Attacked in Cleveland
April 30 - Refinery Workers Walk Off the Job
April 29 - Allis-Chalmers and the Road to Taft-Hartley
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