Forward together: fight for fair wages As part of the Strong Communities Work campaign, CSEA officers and activists joined workers in Atlanta, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and more than 200 cities across the country in marches and protests on April 15 during what organizers claimed was the largest protest by low-wage workers in U.S. “By joining the fight to increase the minimum wage to a living wage we are building power that will strengthen our union and improve the lives of our families and neighbors.” history. About 60,000 workers took part in the Fight for $15 demonstrations, which called for a minimum wage of $15 an hour in the U.S., more than twice the current federal minimum of $7.25. “The mobilization of CSEA members in New York City and in other cities across the state is a testimony of the commitment that our members have, not only to improve the standard of living of our members but all workers in our society,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “By joining the fight to increase the minimum wage to a living wage we are building power that will strengthen our union and improve the lives of our families and neighbors,” said Jose la Luz, CSEA public policy coordinator. In New York City, tens of thousands, including nearly 100 CSEA Metropolitan Region members, led by CSEA Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett marched to Times Square. In Albany, Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen and Capital Region President Kathy Garrison, along with activists, protested in the Empire State Plaza. Western Region President Flo Tripi led the CSEA contingents at rallies in Buffalo. CSEA was also represented by activists at a rally in Rochester. The national demonstrations were coordinated by Fight for 15, a group that began bringing attention to low service industry wages when several hundred fast food workers went on strike after Thanksgiving 2012. In top photo, CSEA Metropolitan Region activists take part in New York City’s Fight for $15 day of protest, which nationally was one of the nation’s largest organizing protests. Above, CSEA Monroe County activist Bess Watts and Livingston County activist Alise Rounsville take part in a Western Region protest. Their actions have sparked an international movement, changing the debate around income inequality, and holding strikes and rallies in more than 200 cities and 35 countries on six continents. May 2015 The Work Force 3
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