MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Minimum wage workers in the Mid-South want more money, and a large group of protesters hit the streets on Tuesday to fight for it.
“Hold them burgers. Hold them fries. Make our wages super size,” protesters yelled.
Low-income employees and advocates stood their ground and made their voices heard in front of a McDonald’s location on Union Avenue.
Laquita Jackson was dressed in her McDonald’s uniform when she told WREG that making a little more than the federal mandated $7.50 per hour is a struggle.
“People with kids don’t have (the) money to pay for childcare, and it’s just hard,” Jackson said.
The group is fighting for a $15.00 minimum wage to put workers above the poverty line.
“I guess they want me to be put out on the street,” she said. “That’s why poverty is real bad here in Tennessee.”
Besides fast food workers, home care employees and advocates were also fighting for better wages.
“We going to fight to the end, and we’re not giving up until they give us what we want,” Jackson said.
On April 15, many of the workers are planning on participating in a national day of protesting.
The group said the next step is sitting down with Tennessee lawmakers.