Pictures from the Good Jobs for All Rallies in KC

[LongTomH]

There were rallies across the nation Monday and Tuesday, in solidarity with fast food workers asking merely for a decent, living wage for their families. We had events here in KC. These first images are from the Communities Creating Opportunities Facebook page. Communities Creating Opportunities is a local branch of the PICO network (People Improving Communities through Organizing).




This young man is working two jobs at minimum wage, and still struggling to take care of his family.


We had a number of people from faith communities at both rallies; this is Rev. C.T. Vivian


Representative Emanuel Cleaver addressed the rally Monday.


These images are from the Stand Up KC facebook page.







I was at the Tuesday rally in Gilham Park. We heard from union leaders (UAW and SEIU), people from the faith community and fast food workers sharing their own stories. One young man, who had been working in fast food for 10 years talked of his problems keeping food on the table; sometimes he had to go to his father's house for food. He has painful, broken molars that he cannot afford to have fixed.

Our local firefighters provided the food for the rally, showing solidarity with fellow workers trying to organize unions.

[KG]

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[leftstreet]

2. 'Stand Up KC says yesterdays rally was the first step'

Posted: Tuesday, 30 July 2013 4:40AM

Stand Up KC says yesterdays rally was the first step


Fast food and retail workers say yesterday's strike was the first step. Kansas City and six other that saw walkouts in fast food and retail establishments. Workers want to organize without retaliation and make $15 an hour.

Locally, there was a rally at a Burger King at 47th and Troost, but the company saw the walkout coming and scheduled management to work the lunch rush. "Stand Up KC" spokesperson, Gina Chiala, says it was still a success.

"This is just the beginning. We're letting the public know that these workers are going to work everyday, but they're making poverty wages and they're not able to pay their utilities. Not able to pay their rent," says Chiala.

She says her group, a coalition of labor groups, will put pressure on elected officials. There is talk on Capitol Hill of raising the minimum wage, which last went up in 2009.
http://www.kmbz.com/Stand-Up-KC-says-yesterdays-rally-was-the-first-st/16937051

DURec