Robert Reich: Tell McDonald's and Walmart to Pay Decent Wages
Yesterday, as fast-food workers participated in the largest strike the industry has ever seen , former Labor Secretary Robert Reich released a new video and petition , along with MoveOn, calling on McDonald's and Walmart to pay their workers a decent wage. In the video, he breaks down what steps are needed to make sure workers get a fair share in the current economy, where jobs are coming back, but most of them are paying less than they were before the recession.
Reich's six ways to mobilize for better jobs and better wages and to boost labor:
1. Create a living wage.
2. Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit.
3. Ensure universal affordable child care.
4. Make more schools high quality and improve access to college or technical school.
5. Create universal, affordable health insurance.
6. Expand the right to form a union without being fired.
As part of the first step, Reich has created a petition with MoveOn asking the CEOs of McDonald's and Walmart to pay their workers a decent wage. The straightforward message of the petition is:
Your typical employee is now earning $8.25 to $8.80 an hour. Most are adults, responsible for bringing in half their family's income. You can easily afford to pay them $15 an hour without causing layoffs or requiring price hikes. Your shareholders and executives are doing spectacularly well.
Sign the petition today .
