On May 19, the IUF, together with EFFAT-IUF, held a global video conference focused on increasing pressure on the fast-food industry to deal with the many occupational health and safety concerns reported by IUF affiliates across the globe. Participants observed a moment of silence to honour the long-time worker leader from the Fight for $15 in Texas, Isias Sapon, who passed away at the age of 50 due to COVID-related illness.
- Over 30 IUF affiliates gathered to review the results from EFFAT’s survey on health and safety in the fast food sector and to discuss next steps in the fight to hold the industry accountable
- Also on May 19, fast food workers across the US went on strike to demand safe working conditions and a fair pay; since the beginning of the pandemic, fast food workers, many of whom are paid as little as USD 7.25 per hour, have reported serious workplace hazards around COVID-19
- After a long and determined struggle by IUF affiliates, the Spanish government recently approved a decree that recognizes food-delivery riders as workers and not independent contractors as the companies argue
As Precious Cole, a North Carolina, USA, McDonald’s worker, said, “We’re gonna stand in solidarity, we want the $15. We want a union, so that stuff like this can’t happen and that we have a voice. This is us letting them know, ‘We’re here to stay and we’re going to be in your face. Every time you turn around, we will be there.’”
