PITTSBURGH — As part of a nationwide protest, fast food workers in Pittsburgh rallied downtown Thursday, demanding higher wages.
Protesters at several gatherings that broke out in the city said the want to make $15 an hour.
Right around the start of rush hour, the fast food workers took the streets of Pittsburgh, positioning themselves outside of the McDonald’s on Stanwix Street. They then walked around Market Square, stopped at Dunkin Donuts and even blocked traffic.
“A lot of people behind me, we already do more multiple-people’s jobs, and some of us is (sic) not even trained or getting raises,” said Chris Ellis, who has worked at McDonald’s for seven months.
Ellis said he’s making less at the fast food chain than he did at his last job at Dunkin Donuts.
However, on the one year anniversary of the first “Fight for 15” rally, the crowd had another motive beside wages.
Organizers said they are standing with other protesters who are upset with a New York grand jury's decision to not indict a police officer involved in a chokehold death.
“We’re the kids. We’re making future changes for everybody,” Ellis said.
Also new this year, organizers said retail workers joined in the “Fight for 15.”
Laquania Coleman, who also works for McDonald’s, said she’s worked for the fast food chain for five years as one of several jobs.
“I work seven jobs at $7.25,” she said.
Thursday’s protest was not the first Pittsburgh has seen this fall.
In September, several people were arrested during a protest outside of a Wilkinsburg Wendy’s for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly.
WPXI
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