August 31, 2015
By Jeanina Jenkins
St. Louis, MO. – When fast-food workers first started standing up and demanding $15, people told us we had no shot. But because we stuck together, we’re winning raises across the country and right here in St. Louis.
Any raise in pay is a welcome step, but $11 by 2018 isn’t nearly enough to live in St. Louis. I want to go to school, I want to support myself without needing my parents or public assistance, which is why I need a living wage of $15 an hour. Some of the city alderman understand that the times have changed, that tuition has increased by over 1000% since the 70's, that service and health care are some of the fastest growing industries in the country, but others are stuck in the past.
It’s because workers stood together, went on strike and even got arrested for $15 and union rights that elected officials in St. Louis had this discussion, and it’s why our Fight for $15 is sweeping the nation. Everyone from local governments to major employers to candidates for president is lining up to raise pay to $15. The recent increases in my home state show that we are being heard, and we aren’t going to stop fighting until we win $15 and union rights.
Jeanina Jenkins is a 21 year old McDonald’s worker from St. Louis, MO.
