Fast Food Workers Protest, Demand $15 Minimum Wage, News Reporter’s Epic Response Goes Viral [Video]
Fast food workers’ demands for a $15 minimum wage have sparked a nationwide debate. As expected, their demands have been met with resistance, but the opposition hasn’t deterred their efforts. On Nov. 10, fast food protesters participated in a National Day of Action to make their demands known.
Fast food workers all over America gathered to protest and voice their concerns about the low wages they are currently being paid. Although protests took place in several cities, one event in particular has made national headlines and it’s all because of a brief debate between a news reporter and a protester. The reporter’s arguments about the demands for $15 minimum wage have caused the news clip to go viral.
According to The Blaze, fast food workers organized demonstrations outside of the City Hall building in Southfield, Michigan. In addition to their demands for $15-an-hour minimum wage, fast food workers are also asking for the establishment of a union.
The Fox 2 news clip begins with scenes from protests that took place in both Chicago and Detroit. Many fast food workers took moments to speak with the news station to voice their concerns. But, when it was fast food worker Lakecha Jackson’s turn to speak out, WJBK-TV reporter Roop Raj posed a different perspective asking if fast food workers really deserved to make $15 minimum wage when paramedics don’t even average that much for saving lives.
“Some people say that paramedics make $15 an hour. They save lives. So why should fast food workers get that?” Raj asked.
“Because we do too much,” she replied. “We do more than we get paid.”
Almost immediately after the clip of the news segment surfaced online, Jackson’s response to the reporter’s arguments sparked outrage on social media. Needless to say, an overwhelming number of social media users strongly disagree with her attempt to compare the strenuous work of a paramedic to that of a fast food worker.
Watch answer fast food worker gives when told some paramedics don't even make $15 an hour https://t.co/FyY85u8jrB pic.twitter.com/QREpAERB1P
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) November 13, 2015
She’s also been criticized for allegedly devaluing a life by insisting fast food workers work harder than paramedics. However, since her statement was abruptly cut off due to editing, some viewers have actually questioned whether the clip is a valid interpretation of her opinion. Many Americans who disagree with her sentiments based on the clip have taken to Twitter with their own arguments.
Here are some of the tweets:
If you think working in #fastfood is harder than being a #paramedic, that explains why you are living in a… https://t.co/G3sD5PZQAR
— LeftHandedRightWingr (@DiamondDaveP) November 13, 2015
@theblaze Her answer explains EXACTLY why she should not make close to $15 an hour.
— Bob (@BobPSU) November 13, 2015
Although their protests have not led to results as of yet, the $15 minimum wage bill is being discussed, according to MLive. The Massachusetts state legislature has introduced the bill, citing the benefits it would bring for low-wage workers.
“On a day when hundreds of low-wage workers are marching to the State House to demand a $15 minimum wage, we are very pleased to see this bill, which would provide stability to low-wage employees at large companies, move to the Senate. We look forward to working with the entire Legislature to move the bill forward and allow these employees, many of whom are parents, to support their families.”
At this point, no one knows what the outcome will be for fast food workers, but they are definitely hoping that the vote rules in their favor. Do you think fast food workers should be paid $15 minimum wage? Share your thoughts.
[Image via YouTube Screen Capture]
