This morning in North Tampa, approximately two dozen protesters gathered on a sidewalk facing a McDonald's restaurant, highlighting the allegations by some fast-food workers of wage theft that have led toa class-action lawsuits in three states. Similar rallies were also scheduled in 30 other U.S. cities.Some cases of wage theft include employees having to pay for their own uniforms, not being paid to attend meetings, or being told to clock out while still working.
The Tampa action was organized by local activists, several of whom have been amongst the labor-movement leaders holding rallies at fast-food outlets across the country, demanding higher wages for such workers. Those protests have coincided with legislation promoted by Democrats in Congress (and in Tallahassee) to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.
Two speakers at the rally were presented as having been victims of wage theft, including 20-year-old Yves Higgans, who previously worked at the Bearrs Avenue McDonald's that served as the location for today's protest.
"I was having to come in on my off days and not being paid for it," claimed Higgans, who said he was fired last month after he showed up for work one day without wearing a belt. He said he was on probation for three months, and "I wasn't keeping up their standards."
But the other fast-food employee offered up by organizers admitted that he himself was not a victim of wage theft, but was "down with the movement."
Julius Robertson, 25, previously worked at a Little Caesar's on Adamo Drive as well as McDonald's. "I think the wages they pay are ridiculous," she said, adding that the fast-food giant should pay at least $8.50 an hour for their employees.
The lawsuits filed in California, Michigan and New York against McDonald's last week detail a variety of "wage theft" allegations. In California, the workers claim that the McDonald’s restaurants employing them did not pay them for all hours worked, shaved hours from pay records and denied them required meal periods and rest breaks.
“McDonald’s and our independent owner-operators share a concern and commitment to the well-being and fair treatment of all people who work in McDonald’s restaurants," says Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem, with McDonald’s Global External Communications. "We are currently reviewing the allegations in the lawsuits. McDonald’s and our independent owner-operators are each committed to undertaking a comprehensive investigation of the allegations and will take any necessary actions as they apply to our respective organizations."
"I don't want to collect welfare. I want to pay for my kids school," said Nijah Pretzer, who currently works at a Dunkin' Donuts franchise on Busch Blvd in Tampa. She's worked there for more than two years, but continues to make just $7.99 an hour. "It's getting overwhelming for me at this point," she says about her economic plight.
She's proud not to be on government assistance, but wonders how she can continue to feed her two children on such low wages. "I do believe in getting a better job and going to school, but when you're right in the moment and you have to do something right at that time, you can't just go to school for four years at the time you're struggling. You just have to push forward, and do what you have to do."
For more information, go to robbedonthejob.org.