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.
April 8 - John L. Lewis Takes on Henry Ford
April 7 - Flora Tristan is Born
April 6 - Rose Schneiderman is Born
April 5 - Massey Mine Explodes, pt. 2
April 4 - Massey Mine Explodes, pt. 1
April 3 - Lincoln Freed the Slaves, Ford Brought Them Back
April 2 - Trouble in the Sweetest Place on Earth
April 1 - The Promise of 1946
March 31 - Hospital Workers Stand United
March 30 - 15th Amendment Adopted
March 29 - West Coast Hotel v Parrish Decided
March 28 - Partial Meltdown at Three Mile Island
March 27 - FE Strikers Battle Police at Harvester
March 26 - Police Attack UE Amid ‘46 Strike Wave
March 25 - Centralia Coal Mine #5 Explodes
March 24 - Exxon Valdez Runs Aground
March 23 - Texas City Refinery Explosion Kills 15
March 22 - ERA Passes the Senate
March 21 - Truman Signs Loyalty Order
March 20 - Another Deadly Explosion
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