Airport Workers Use Mannequin Challenge To Bring Awareness To Their 'Fight For $15'
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A large group of airport workers striking for an increased minimum wage struck a pose in protest Tuesday afternoon.
"I came to this country for the freedom of expression I was denied in Cuba," said John Marrero, lobby agent for Eulen America at Miami International Airport. "I came here for the American Dream which promises that if you work hard you can achieve a better life for you and your family. We are today to say that we are strong, we are united, and we will not stop until we have won $15 and a union for all workers!"
The protesters, wearing hand decorated shirts that read "Respect", "Union Now!" and "Fight for $15" in multiple languages, marched through the terminals at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
In between the terminals, the workers joined activists from immigrant rights groups and the Broward Black Lives Matter Alliance to participate in the popular Mannequin Challenge in hopes of bringing some social media awareness to their campaign.
"We're all in this together," said Westley Williams, a fast food worker for more than a decade. "My airport brothers and sisters face the same challenges. I was proud to stand with airport workers because we're brothers and sisters in our struggle."
For over three years, airport workers at FLL have been organizing for better wages and benefits.