Protesters Interrupt McDonald's President At Union League Club
By aaroncynic in News on Oct 8, 2013 6:00PM
Protestors are seen in August outside the Rock N' Roll McDonald's in August striking for a $15/hour minimum wage. (Photo credit: Justin Carlson)
Protesters interrupted a speech from McDonald’s USA President Jeff Stratton on Friday at the Union League Club. Demonstrators affiliated with the Fight For 15 movement interrupted Stratton’s speech just as it began to demand better wages for the company’s employees. Nancy Salgado, a 10-year McDonald’s employee and single mother of two asked:
“Do you think it’s fair that I have to be living on a poverty wage? Do you think it’s fair that I am making $8.25 while I’ve worked for McDonald’s for 10 years? Do you think it’s fair? My two kids are struggling because you can’t raise our minimum wage. I don’t believe that’s fair. What do you have to say?”
Crain’s Chicago Business reports Salgado continued for about five minutes before she and other demonstrators were escorted out. According to a press release, the group was detained for an hour and threatened with arrest but ultimately released after receiving citations.
As this was happening a small group of demonstrators marched outside the Union League Club. Tyree Johnson, another McDonald’s worker said “I’ve been working for McDonald’s for almost 21 years and I still have not been promoted and I’m still earning close to minimum wage. I’ve made millions for them in 21 years and they don’t appreciate me as a valuable worker.”
Stratton’s only response to protesters was mainly mute, saying “I've been at McDonald's for 40 years” and apologizing to the other attendees of the event for the interruption. According to the Chicago Tribune, he then went on to make a short speech about his approach to work and life. He also said McDonald’s is looking to “"young-up the system" by looking to hire the children of current restaurant operators.