US: new fast food strikes

Submitted by AWL on 19 August, 2013 - 4:14

US workers employed by fast food chains including McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Wendy's will launch a national strike on 29 August as part of their ongoing fight to win a $15/hour minimum wage.

Most fast food chains currently pay well below $10 per hour (some as little as $7.50), and workers have organised a series of citywide strikes over the past year, involving workers in New York, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and elsewhere.

The planned national strike will take place the day after the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the seminal labour and civil rights movement mobilisation at which Martin Luther King delivered his historic "I Have A Dream" speech.

Fast food workers have organised through a number of national and local workers' centres and campaign groups, including Fast Food Forward and Workers Organising Committee of Chicago. Most are backed by large national unions, with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU, one of America's largest) playing a central role.


  • For more on fast food workers' previous strikes, click here.
  • This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
    By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.