Hundreds of workers from McDonald’s, Burger King, Popeyes, Subway and some 50 other restaurants made history Friday by going on the nation’s largest fast food industry strike, asking for a wage increase to $15 an hour and the right to unionize.

The first success came amid a heavy downpour at 6 a.m. at a McDonald’s on Detroit’s east side, where several workers walked off the job and caused the store to close. The action gained more momentum when management called in replacement workers who, unexpectedly, joined the strike line as well. With shouts of “we want our wages supersized” and a passion for the cause, the day would see more than 400 workers across the city at chains such as Popeyes, Long John Silver’s and Subway take part, forcing seven stores to close. Over the course of the day, the action garnered the support of more than 1,000 community leaders, including Congressman John Conyers and State Sen. Bert Johnson.

http://www.goodjobsnow.org/2013/05/14/d15-detroit-fast-food-workers-strike-for-15/

St. Louis:

These employees are being joined by dozens of more fast food workers Thursday across the St. Louis region in a push for higher wages, better working conditions, and the right to form a union without retaliation. A rally in Delmar Loop is planned for Thursday afternoon.

At least 100 people were picketing Thursday morning in front of a Hardee’s restaurant at Wilson and Hampton avenues about 8 a.m.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/organizers-say-st-louis-fast-food-strike-to-spread-to/article_7a0c248b-d7b4-5794-b11a-b8316462e9f2.html