McDonald’s HQ hit by $15 an hour pay protest

McDonald’s protesters chanting “show me 15” descended yesterday on the fast-food giant’s headquarters to demand higher pay, the latest showdown in a four-year battle emboldened by minimum-wage victories in California and New York.

Fri, 27 May, 2016 - 01:00

After camping out overnight outside McDonald’s offices in Oak Brook in Illinois, demonstrators gathered to picket the company’s annual shareholder meeting.

In all, as many as 10,000 fast-food, homecare, and childcare workers from across the US may be protesting, the labour-backed organisers say.

The demonstrations highlight the wage pressure facing the world’s largest restaurant chain.

Advocates want a minimum wage of $15 (€13.45) an hour, and they’ve already had success getting California and New York legislators to raise pay to that level in coming years.

The protesters, funded by the Service Employees International Union, also are pressuring the firm to let restaurant workers unionise.

“We’re coming to McDonald’s doorstep to tell the company and its shareholders it’s time workers shared in the company’s good fortune,” Angel Mitchell, a McDonald’s worker from Chicago, said in a statement from protest organisers.

“We can’t wait any longer for $15/hour and union rights, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to make sure our voices are heard.”

McDonald’s corporate employees were told to work from home yesterday and Wednesday. “We take seriously our role in helping strengthen communities,” McDonald’s said.