More Than 130 March on KC fast Food Restaurants at Lunchtime

Fast food worker march on KC’s Eastwood Trafficway.

More than 130 fast food workers and union organizer marched in at least three fast food restaurants, Church’s Chicken; McDonalds and Pizza Hut on Eastwood Trafficway Thursday.
The trio of demonstrations wet part of a nation-wide effort by fast good workers to raise their wages and call for an increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
The protester included a 26 year Pizza Hut worker, a 37 year old mother of three who works at two fast food stores and a 34 year old man.
A couple dozen of the protesters walked into the Chicken restaurant and the hamburger shop. Some urged the workers on duty to walk off and join the protests. “Come on out, we’ve got your back!” They chanted in unison. Kansas City Police were on hand but there were no problems.
Some or the protest organizers were wearing orange safety belts. They were seen helping motorists who were driving into the restaurants make their way the the protesters who were walking from store to store. .
Owners and operators of fast food restaurants say the latest series of protests are counter productive. The owners and operators say their profit margins are very thin. They say they would have to cut back
on jobs or increase prices if they are forced to raise wages.
The demand for a $15 an hour wage is at the top end of the debate over the standard. President Obama wants an increase. He is suggesting $9 an hour.
There have been a set of quick protests like this at fast food stores all over Kansas City since this morning in connection with the national action. More Kansas City protests are planned for the late afternoon.