COUNCIL MEMBER YDANIS RODRIGUEZ STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL FAST FOOD WORKERS STRIKE

 

New York, NY--On Thursday, May 15th, 2014, hundreds of thousands of workers around the world walked off the job in a statement that signifies their continued struggle with long hours, poor working conditions, little pay and the constant threat of wage theft. In New York City, a major rally was held at a McDonalds on 5th  Avenue and 32nd street with elected officials, faith leaders and community activists joining workers who braved joining a global day of action by refusing to work.

 

Council Member Rodriguez said this in support:

 

"After many of these workers have toiled over hot fryers for years without a raise, their struggle for dignity is coming to a head. Today, they are joined by 30 countries as well as workers in cities across America to say 'no more' to their perpetual mistreatment in the work place. Here in New York, one of the most expensive cities in the world, the poverty wages paid by a multi-billion dollar industry are not only insufficient for an honest living, they are degrading and outright insulting. 

 

"I joined this movement two years ago because I believed and continue to believe that if a business is going to operate in this city, especially those with astronomical levels of resources, they should pay their dedicated workers enough to live in this city as well. And as this movement has grown, I have born witness to a growing confidence in these men and women. They will not stand for this treatment any longer and are realizing the power they possess as they declare their right to dignity,  today echoed around the world."