The fight for a global minimum wage

[Omaha Steve]

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2014/05/15/the-fight-for-a-global-minimum-wage/

By Christine Owens MAY 15, 2014



On Thursday, fast-food workers in more than 30 countries across six continents will take coordinated action on an unprecedented scale. In the United States, they will walk off their jobs in 150 cities — the largest strike ever. Workers around the world will join these protests in 80 cities.

The protestors are set to take over a McDonald’s during lunchtime rush hour in Belgium; hold flash-mobs at McDonald’s restaurants across the Philippines, and conduct a teach-in at McDonald’s headquarters in New Zealand.

The spread of the fast-food movement to the global stage is notable for the speed at which it has happened. What began as a single strike in New York City in November 2012, with roughly 200 workers participating, has in 18 months spread across the country and now across national borders. The efforts of fast-food workers have captured the nation’s attention, been featured in President Barack Obama’s speeches on inequality and inspired local elected officials to raise minimum wages.



The worldwide reach of the movement spells trouble for fast-food corporations. The sight of Japanese and Indian workers joining their counterparts in the U.S. protest should leave these corporations shuddering.

FULL story at link.

[Laelth]

1. k&r for labor. n/t

-Laelth

[TBF]

2. The wages are too damned low -

solidarity K&R

[filterfreeradio]

3. Filter Free Radio's Jacob Dean speaks with Kshama Sawant at 15Now in PDX

Filter Free Radio's Jacob Dean attends the 15Now.org event in Portland, Oregon on 4/24/14. The huge chasm between the richest 1% and the rest of us is widening, corporations are destroying the environment, and the U.S. government is deporting record numbers of undocumented immigrants. Clearly, the corporate politicians have failed the 99%. In response, nearly 100,000 voters recently elected Kshama Sawant to Seattle City Council as an independent Socialist, and she did not accept a dime in corporate cash! Now Sawant is leading the 15 Now movement to raise Seattle's minimum wage to $15/hr, inspiring the movement to spread to Portland, San Francisco, and nationwide.

Jacob Dean interviews Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant on her personal motivations and inspirations:

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The star of the show Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant's Speech in Portland 4/24/14

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In my personal opinion, one of the most amazing, most inspirational, most motivational speeches of the night was given by Ahjamu Umi - Organizer for the All African Peoples Revolutionary Party in Portland, Oregon. I had to stop recording right at the end of his speech so I could be the first person to give him a standing ovation in the front row (hence I missed most of the long standing ovation he received from the standing room only packed crowd on video.) Look for an interview from FFR with Ahjamu Umi coming soon. Find more information at http://www.aaprp-intl.org/

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In this clip, Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant's Campaign Manager (and longtime social justice activist) Ramy Khalil explains how the Koch Brothers and the Corporate State will try to undermine and destroy the 15Now.org movement to raise the minimum wage to a living wage for all workers.

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Portland City Council Candidate Nicholas Caleb speaks about the similar platforms he is running on and Kshama Sawant won on, and how real socialist leftist candidates for local office can win. Look for an interview from FFR with Nicholas Caleb coming soon. Find more information at http://calebforcouncil.com/

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Find more of Jacob Dean, the former producer for Thom Hartmann's radio program, and Filter Free Radio including interviews with Jill Stein, Chris Hedges, Bill McKibben, David Swanson, 100% free podcasts and MORE at http://www.filterfreeradio.com [link:http://www.filterfreeradio.com |]

Keep up the good fight!

-Jacob Dean

[socialist_n_TN]

5. Thanks Jacob Dean and welcome to DU.......

Come visit us in the Socialist Progressives group on DU. I think you would probably like it.

[Overseas]

4. K&R. Beautiful demonstration!

[socialist_n_TN]

6. And thanks to Omaha Steve for another informative OP.......