Business & Tech
Protesters Picket Joliet McDonald's over Workers' Low Wages
The protest was held the same day many workers went on strike in Chicago to raise the minimum wage paid by fast-food restaurants.
Five volunteer activists picketed outside a McDonald's on Jefferson Street Thursday to draw attention to efforts to raise the minimum-wage salaries paid to fast-food workers.
"We can't survive on $8.25," Alex Forgue, 19, a Joliet Junior College student, shouted through a bullhorn at vehicles passing by the Jefferson/Woodlawn Avenue intersection.
Chris White, a representative for Warehouse Workers for Justice, and others handed out fliers explaining why the Low Pay is Not OK group is pushing for an increase in the low wages paid to restaurant employees and others.
The lunchtime picket was held the same day that fast-food workers went on strike in Chicago and in other large cities across the country in an effort to force largest chain restaurants to pay their employees a wage that will allow them to support themselves.
"People in Chicago are striking for a living wage," White said. "McDonald's is making a lot of money, and there's no reason they can't pay a living wage."
Most people exiting the restaurant at about 12:30 p.m. were willing to speak with the picketers and take a flier labeled "I'm Not Lovin' It," a twist on McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" slogan.
The flier's message read, "The median hourly wage for fast-food workers employed by corporations like McDonald's is $8.94 nationally. Meanwhile, the industry is taking in $200 billion a year. May fast-food workers can't even come close to making ends meet on the poverty wages they are paid."
Chris White, a representative for Warehouse Workers for Justice, and others handed out fliers explaining why the Low Pay is Not OK group is pushing for an increase in the low wages paid to restaurant employees and others.
The lunchtime picket was held the same day that fast-food workers went on strike in Chicago and in other large cities across the country in an effort to force largest chain restaurants to pay their employees a wage that will allow them to support themselves.
"People in Chicago are striking for a living wage," White said. "McDonald's is making a lot of money, and there's no reason they can't pay a living wage."
Most people exiting the restaurant at about 12:30 p.m. were willing to speak with the picketers and take a flier labeled "I'm Not Lovin' It," a twist on McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" slogan.
The flier's message read, "The median hourly wage for fast-food workers employed by corporations like McDonald's is $8.94 nationally. Meanwhile, the industry is taking in $200 billion a year. May fast-food workers can't even come close to making ends meet on the poverty wages they are paid."
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