The CEO of the world’s largest fast food chain recently gave?his support for an increase in the federal minimum wage.
McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson mentioned his support for “legislation that moves forward” on increasing the minimum wage at a speech at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School?of Management last month.
McDonald’s isn’t exactly the first place you’d expect an endorsement for a higher minimum wage from, especially considering their record. ?The median wage for McDonald’s employees is around $8 to $9 an hour, which, although higher than federal minimum wage, is still painfully short of the amount most full-time employees would need to survive.
The CEO’s words come after months of protests in favor of a higher minimum wage and higher wages in general for fast food employees. The group Fight for $15?has been leading international protests against the stagnant wages many restaurant chains are paying their workers. The most recent protests included a large rally at the McDonald’s corporate office in Illinois last May, where over 100 protesters were arrested.
The push for a higher minimum wage has gained a lot of traction this past year. Beyond the protests, there’s been a universal progressive movement for higher wages and more sustainable economics. Besides President Obama’s push for a minimum wage increase to $10.10 an hour, notable progressive senators like Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have led a nationwide charge to foster awareness and support for raising the minimum wage. The issue is even more important since statistics show?that most of the post-recession job growth has been in minimum wage or low paying jobs.
Hopefully this announcement is not just an idle gesture.?Let’s hope that the CEO’s words translate into real action for America’s low-wage workers.
H/T to Huffington Post
Edited/Published by: SB
