December 5, 2014
By Marc Bussanich
New York, NY—Both airport and fast food workers said they’re tired of low pay as they marched along Chambers Street to rally at City Hall on a day where their colleagues in 190 cities across the country struck for higher pay.
At City Hall, we interviewed two fast food workers who said they were inspired by participating in Thursday’s march.
Rebecca Cornick said in the accompanying video that she hasn’t been able to buy her five grandchildren who range from five years old to nine months Christmas or birthday presents because she’s just earning above the minimum wage.
“I have yet to be able to do anything for them because of my low pay. As an American citizen I feel that I should be able to support myself. If I’m working a 40-hour week then I should be able to put food on the table, as well as pay my rent and do for my family, not them doing for me,” said Cornick.
She’s been working at Wendy’s for about eight years and said she likes her job, but she can’t survive on just making a little more than minimum wage.
“I like the work, it’s a great job. But I feel like I’m not making enough to support myself after eight and half years and working full time.”
She does have health care coverage, but not through her job. She’s thankful for the Affordable Health Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare.
“That’s working out great. I have no co-pay, so that’s a big help for myself as a fast food worker making a little bit more than minimum wage,” Cornick said.
Zenquetta Charles has been working at Burger King for four years and said wages could be a lot better. She hopes that the reality of higher wages happens soon after Thursday’s march.
“I hope the minimum wage goes up and I hope there’s justice for Eric Garner,” said Charles.
@marcbuss marc@laborpress.org
