In the wake of demonstrations at Los Angeles City Hall on February 18, fast food workers near USC commented on the protestors’ fight to increase wages and available hours. The employees said in interviews with Annenberg Media they believe their wages must increase to make their pay liveable.
Guadalupe Perez, a supervisor at the Cold Stone Creamery on Figueroa Street near USC campus, said that the demand for more hours depends on the establishment’s need, but “everyone should have more fair wages” in fast food. Perez also advocated for workers in more demanding chain restaurants.
“There are other services that deserve way more, like Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, they definitely do more labor, and that requires more pay. The more labor you want from us, the more pay you should give us,” she said
The passage of AB 1228 increased the minimum wage of fast food workers to $20 per hour as of April 2024. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations’s website, a fast food restaurant is a “limited-service restaurant…that offers limited or no table service, where the customers order food or beverage items and pay for those items before the items are consumed.”
Protestors are fighting for the Fast Food Fair Work Ordinance, which was introduced by Council Member Hugo Soto-Martinez and aims to give workers more stability over their schedule, according to the Los Angeles Times. In 2022, a Fair Work Ordinance for retail workers helped regulate schedules for workers and increase their minimum wage. Now, the protestors want the same.
A few doors down from the Cold Stone, a worker at the Chick-fil-A on Figueroa Street — a spot often bustling with students after football games — said he agreed with Perez’ sentiment.
“I think there needs to be more flexibility with the hours, as far as wages as well. I think a livable wage should be fine,” said Assistant Director Nathan Navarrete.
Some industry professionals claim that increasing wages may result in employees losing their jobs. Navarrete said he believes the consequences of increasing wages will be substantial.
“For example, food prices go up, labor costs go up and that affects your hours. And it’s all a huge domino effect.”
While Navarrete said he is unaware of anyone organizing with a union or protesting at the Chick-fil-A he works at, he shared advice for workers fighting for better working conditions.
“Just stand up for what you believe for, and doing what’s right is always the best thing… honestly, love conquers all,” he said.
The City Hall protest began Tuesday morning, where there was a line of fast food workers out the door and into the street. Many were members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) calling off work to appear in front of City Council members.
When the chamber opened up to public comment, the workers were not called on to speak, according to Felipe Caceres, who was at the protest with SEIU.
“We wanted to give public comment. We signed up for public comment. We were there early. They didn’t call our names,” he said.
Lizzet Aguilar, a protesting employee from a Los Angeles McDonalds, came and spoke through a translator. Aguilar said that she won’t back down until the workers’ claims are taken seriously by members of the City Council.
“We’re gonna do what it takes, knock on doors, go to the City Council members face-to-face and tell them about this ordinance,” she said.