Fight for $15 movement marches downtown for higher wages, better treatment of workers
Protesters chanting "We deserve more, no more injustice" outside ASU's Downtown Phoenix Campus Wednesday joined thousands of people across the country in the Fight for $15 movement to raise the minimum wage and improve conditions for workers.
April 15 marked a national day for action in the Fight for $15 movement, which began organizing nationally in 2012 and locally in Arizona on August 2013 as a campaign for fast-food workers demanding a $15 hourly wage and the ability to form a union from fast-food companies.
"Today is significant because we combine all the efforts of all workers," said Tomas Robles, director of Living United for Change in Arizona, also known as LUCHA. "Not just McDonald's workers, but low-wage workers that work at grocery stores, student workers who many times are paid near minimum wage while they try to save money while they go to school … and construction workers who many times are not provided with adequate safety equipment or training."
The rally in downtown Phoenix was the second of three local actions organized by LUCHA with the help of several other local organizations. The first action, outside a McDonald's restaurant near 51st Avenue and Indian School Road at 6 a.m., drew nearly 150 protesters, and the third action at ASU's Tempe campus at 5 p.m. was expected to draw 800 to 1,000 protesters, Robles said.
Robles said LUCHA marched into downtown Phoenix to highlight ASU's partnership with Great Western Erectors, the company working as a subcontractor on the construction of ASU's new law school building.
Juan Daniel Ramirez, 33, is a Great Western Erectors employee who said he previously worked on ASU property, including the construction of the ASU's Hassayampa residence hall in Tempe. Ramirez said wage is a component of his involvement in the movement, but his main reason for protesting is to get better working conditions.
LUCHA member and ASU senior Gilbert Romero said the action taken in downtown Phoenix brought attention to complaints Great Western Erectors had received from workers.
"We're asking (ASU President) Michael Crow, we're asking the ASU administration to cut GWE from all subcontracting jobs from ASU in the future because of their unethical working conditions," Romero said.
Eighteen-year-old McDonald's employee Kevin Mendoza said he wants better treatment at his job, where he has burned himself on the grill.
"I believe I deserve a reasonable wage. I believe I deserve respect," he said.
As he gestured toward a burn on his arm, Mendoza said, "A few days ago I got this on the grill. You get serious burns and you don't get medical assistance. You don't get sick days."
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, said he would continue fighting for more protections and higher wages for America's workers, according to the congressman's communications director Pili Tobar.
"Congressman Gallego supports the Fight for $15 movement and stands with fast-food workers, child-care workers, faith leaders, students and others in calling for workers' right to form a union and an increase to the minimum wage to $15 that will give families and individuals a better shot at economic stability and a secure future," Tobar said.
The Fight for $15 campaign is gaining momentum as the public's attention to wage inequality and poor working conditions increases.
"Two hundred cities are participating today and globally in cities across the world, demanding a $15 minimum wage and the right to form a union," Romero said.
Contact the reporter at alexa.levine@asu.edu
Source: By Alexa Levine, Downtown Devil