Fast food workers in 150 cities launch biggest strike in industry history

    On May 15, thousands of fast food workers in an estimated 150 cities are expected to strike. We'll be bringing you minute-by-minute coverage and photos.
    fastfoodglobal
    On May 15, fast food workers in over 150 cities are expected to walk off the job in what is being called the biggest day of action in the fast food industry’s history. (#FastFoodGlobal/CreativeCommons)

    On Thursday, May 15, thousands of fast food workers in an estimated 150 cities are expected to strike. Organizers are also predicting protests in an estimated 30 countries across the world. The strikes are being billed as the largest in a series of escalating days of action since the fast food workers movement began in early 2012.

    In New York City, the actions are starting break-of-dawn early in order to catch the Egg McMuffin commuter crowd. (Actually, word on the street is that the hot new item is the Taco Bell Waffle Taco, although Waging Nonviolence will definitely not be sampling the menu.) While most walk-out locations are not being publicized ahead of time in order to avoid tipping off management, organizers have arranged for a pre-dawn bus to help transport those who want to stand in solidarity with striking fast food workers to the actions. Usually, your trusted Waging Nonviolence editors are far from early risers (as in we refuse to hold edit meetings before 11 am), but we’ve decided that tomorrow’s strike is so important, we’ll be hopping aboard the 4:45 a.m. bus to bring you breaking live coverage of the actions.

    Follow us throughout the morning on Facebook and Twitter for minute-by-minute coverage and photos of this historic day of action. And check out our previous coverage of the fast food worker walkouts here.



    Recent Stories

    • Feature

    Why India’s farmers are targeting Modi in the elections

    April 23, 2024

    With India’s general elections underway, farmers’ unions remain united in their opposition to the government and demands for economic justice.

    • Analysis

    Climate activists in New England can finally celebrate ‘the end of coal’

    April 16, 2024

    With the last of New England’s coal plants now set to close, the No Coal No Gas campaign is reflecting on the power of fighting together.

    • Feature

    Smuggled protest videos offer a rare glimpse at resistance in occupied Tibet

    April 13, 2024

    Defying a media blackout and severe backlash, Tibetan monks, nuns and residents of a threatened mountain community are showing the world their resistance to a Chinese dam.