Strikers from all over the world on Thursday gather in the streets of their city and country to demand an increase in hourly wages to $15.
The protests, organized by The International Union of Food, are being held in 150 cities in America and 80 cities globally. American Labor Unions have decreased in size over the past 10 years, so protestors are looking to Europe and Asia to make a change.
According to The New York Times, leaders of the strikes are aiming at specific fast food chains that have an increasing market overseas since these companies are now dependent on the global economy and vulnerable of the impact a strike could bring.
The One-Day protestors have caught the attention of those who earn low wages in other fields such as retail and helped gain more support for President Obama’s plan to increase minimum wage to $10.10.
Protestors used several unique tactics to bring attention to themselves, such as a group in the Philippines of approx. 75 people. The group went to McDonalds on Manila Quezon Avenue and did a singing flash mob and dance routine to the song “Let It Go” from the film Frozen, according to Giline Servidad, member of the Alliance of Progressive Labor union. USA Today noted.
Gary Chaison, professor at Clark University, commended the Labor unions on their creativity and ability to “reinvent” themselves, however, he believes their push for $15 an hour is a bit unrealistic.
Fast Food Chains have yet to give in to the strikes.