Catherwood LibraryILR School

Labor organizers from more than 30 countries are meeting in New York City to plan international protests by fast-food workers. According to those familiar with the discussions, the protests are slated to take place on May 15th and are centered on improving wages everywhere and up to $15 per hour in the US. The workers in fast-food establishments have historically difficult to organize because of high turnover rates and even once organized, the effectiveness of protests is difficult to measure with most establishments returning to normal operations quickly after, or even during, protests. Despite uncertain outcomes, labor organizers are excited at the prospect of coordinating on an international stage and in such a resilient industry, both feats may have been unthinkable 10 years ago according to Ron Oswald, general secretary of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers? Association.