JACKSON, Miss. — Fast food workers in Jackson walked off the job Thursday, becoming the first in Mississippi to join a now two- year nationwide organized labor movement to demand raises and the right to unionize.
“We can’t live off $7.25” said Bryon Johnson, who works for a local McDonald’s. “We need an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.”
“People can’t feed their families off $7.25,” added Kelsey McLaurin, who also works for McDonald’s. McLaurin said fast food workers both need and deserve to make at least $15 an hour. “We have to deal with rude employees, rude customers, and long hours on our feet, which is not good for anybody,” she explained.
“It’s a shame that these families should struggle and work more than one job at a time, just because someone wants to make a little extra money,” said Justin who showed up at the protest to support the workers.
The workers marched into a McDonald’s in Jackson, expressed their concerns and walked out. Fast food workers from Burger King, KFC, Wendy’s and Domino’s also joined the strike.
