For Workers

If you are an underpaid worker anywhere in the country and are tired of getting screwed by corporate greed and poverty wages, join the national movement! Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same.

The more of us who continue to speak out, take to the streets, and go on strike, the louder our message will be that it is not right for companies making billions in profits to pay their workers pennies.

How to join the Fight for $15

Join the movement for $15/hr and union rights with these three simple steps:

  1. Sign the petition to the right to stand with underpaid workers everywhere and get on our email list. We’ll send you word on any updates, breaking news, and upcoming actions straight in your inbox.
  2. Next, take out your cell phone and text JOIN to 64336 to get on our rapid-response text message list.
  3. Finally – and most importantly – organize your workplace and take the fight to the streets. Every year, thousands of underpaid workers protest, march, and rally for $15/hr and union rights. We need you out there with us – and we’ll be in touch soon with our next action.

How to go on strike

One of the most powerful actions you can take with your coworkers is to go on strike. If you are a fast food worker, and you are not a supervisor or manager, you have rights under the National Labor Relations Act and you can’t be fired for taking part in protected strike actions – but you have to take certain steps to make sure you’re safe.

Do:

Don’t:

  • Say you are striking to protest political issues unrelated to working conditions
  • Criticize your employer’s products or services
  • “Sit-in” or hold an action inside of your workplace
  • Block the entrance or exit of your workplace
  • Go back to work without a supporter, ally, or co-worker

Reasons to strike

  • To protest unsafe working conditions
  • To protest for higher pay at work
  • To protest against workplace favoritism
  • To protest sexual harassment on the job
  • To protest wage theft
  • To protest unfair work scheduling
  • To protest racism on the job
  • To protest lack of training opportunities
  • To protest the lack of opportunities for promotion and advancement
  • To protest mistreatment and disrespect from management
  • To protest threats to call ICE on you or your coworkers
  • ANY OTHER PROBLEM YOU ARE HAVING AT YOUR STORE

Remember: It is illegal for your boss to fire you for going on strike. But strikes can lose protection if you miss work to protest non-work issues. Be sure to make it clear to your boss that you are on strike to protest a problem at your job.

Strike Notice

You must give your boss notice that you are going on strike before the beginning of your missed shift. This is important for legal protection, otherwise your boss may assume you are a no-call no-show.  Fill in the location, dates, and your reason for going on strike in this letter; and deliver this letter to your boss before or while going on strike. You can deliver the strike notice in person, by text, or orally over the phone (see script). Details are below.

Delivery

Call Management and tell them you’re striking.

Here’s an example script:

  • First, verify Manager’s Identity, “Hello, is this {insert manager’s name] the store manager at the [insert restaurant name] located at [insert store address]?”
  • Next, introduce yourself and read the script:

(Script for single striker)

    • “My name is [insert name], and I am going on a peaceful one-day strike on [DATE], 2021 to demand $15 an hour and the right to join a union.
    • “I will return for my regularly scheduled shift to begin after [DATE]. Employees have a federally protected right to organize and strike. It is unlawful to retaliate against them because of their protected concerted activity.”

(Script for multiple strikers)

    • “My name is [insert name], and I am giving you notice that the following employees are on strike on [DATE], 2021: 
    • Read out the employees’ names (include your own name if applicable). 
    • “These employees are going on a peaceful one-day strike to demand $15 an hour and the right to join a union. They will return for their regularly scheduled shift to begin after [DATE]. Employees have a federally protected right to organize and strike. It is unlawful to retaliate against them because of their protected concerted activity.”

Note: if you get sent to voicemail on the manager’s personal phone, make sure to call store number and speak with the manager or leave a voice message following the script.

It is also a good idea to follow up your call and/or voice message with a text message or email providing the strike notice if you can.

Lastly, document your strike notice delivery:

Send an email to yourself describing the delivery method as soon after delivery as possible: For example, “I called my manager Jane Smith at 9:05 pm on May 18th and told her I was going on strike on May 19th for $15 and hour and the right to join a union.”

Make sure to include the name of the individual you spoke with, any odd things that happened during the call (e.g. they hung up the phone, or you asked for their personal phone number to text the notice and they refused, or asked if they could merge you into a call with the owner). Attach a screenshot showing the call and the length of the call if you can.

If you also texted your strike notice, attach a screenshot of the text you sent, showing the manager’s phone number, as well as any other information that you think would be helpful.

This is an important step because it allows you to prove the Employer had notice if they deny knowing why you were absent.

Walkbacks

When workers in the Fight for $15 strike, we always make sure we don’t return to work alone. There is power in numbers, and you can show your employer that you won’t be intimidated by showing up with friends, family, coworkers or a clergy person to be a witness. Knowing that other people have your back will discourage any attempts at retaliation and is a reminder to the boss that your strike was legally protected activity.

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