Penn, Temple Students Preach 'Respect' For Fast Food Workers
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A local group of Penn and Temple students held a "flash" performance inside a McDonald's in University City last night, calling on higher wages for fast food workers.
A few dozen students filed into the McDonald's here at 40th and Walnut, singing "Respect."
"Respecting someone enough to pay them enough to support themselves and their family."
Leslie is a member of the Penn Student Labor Action Project, joining advocacy groups nationwide calling for a $15 an hour minimum wage. After their rendition of the Aretha Franklin hit inside, they rallied outside. Among the chants, "Hold the burgers, hold the fries, make our wages supersized."
And, "You'll hear people chanting, 'You can't survive on $7.25.' And that's a very literal statement because we believe it's not a humane wage to pay people," said Matt, a recent Penn Alumnus.
And for Leslie, this fight goes beyond fast food. "In reality there are so many working class people who aren't getting paid a living wage in which they can actually support themselves on it."
McDonald's USA posted the following statement on their website:
"McDonald's and our owner-operators are committed to providing our employees with opportunities to succeed. We offer employees advancement opportunities, competitive pay and benefits. And we invest in training and professional development that helps them learn practical and transferable business skills."
"We also respect the right to voice an opinion. To right-size the headlines, however, the events taking place are not strikes. Outside groups are traveling to McDonald's and other outlets to stage rallies. Our restaurants remain open today- and every day- thanks to our dedicated employees serving our customers."
