The goal is to get fast food workers up to $15 and hour. We came to show support for the workers for many reasons. Selfishly, it is unlikely security guards can continue to make very low wages if fast food workers get a sizable raise. We are fortunate to have other sources of income including rising rent in our upstairs apartment (thank you Mayor Brown for helping Buffalo's major comeback) so we also feel that rising wages means even more rent and better tenants since more people will be able to be good tenants. These are the selfish reasons. We also feel it is a justice issue and want to demonstrate to our children through these real struggles what capitalism and democracy is (or often isn't about).
First off, I am proud of our own local leaders for showing support. Our state Senator Tim Kennedy attended the kick off. Sorry he is in between the head and sign in the middle of the photo because I couldn't get a good picture from where I was.
I am also very proud to be an Episcopalian. At the last event our Rev. Mebane from St. Paul's Cathedral attended. This time Mother Brauza from St. Andrews attended as well as a priest from Rochester.
When the kids and I spoke afterwards, I started into some detail about the supporting information presented by some of the community groups and academics, but it occurred to me that the lesson is even more basic. Most of the people who spoke were workers or supporters! Two people spoke from the business community, one person from Washington and one from the Buffalo Niagara Partnership (a regional chamber of commerce sort of group). The only other person representing business was a small business owner from Rochester who was not opposed to higher wages, but wanted a slower phase in and some acknowledgement that higher prices would result. Based on his tone when describing how competitive the industry is, I got the feeling that he understood that part of the reason running a restaurant is hard is because of big corporations and didn't seem to be entirely blaming workers. I felt for him because big corporations cause him issues too, but in a different way. Outside of these three people, EVERYONE else who spoke were the workers themselves or supportive groups from labor, the community, the clergy, or academia. This is 3 people versus a vast number. If business is going to suffer dramatically, why didn't they turn out?
The lesson regarding capitalism and democracy for my kids, therefore, is very simple: the interests of the many versus the few. Will the majority rule? It should in terms of the basics of democracy. It should morally, as paying workers fairly and letting the chips fall is justice. It is also justice that the public should not be subsidizing corporations by providing Medicaid and Foodstamps to workers who work hard, but still are in poverty. Economically, it only makes sense as the most compelling evidence is that workers will drive the economy by spending their increase. This isn't to mention the indirect affects of less stress on the health of the workers and education of their children. It was mentioned that in Denmark fast food workers earn almost $20 and hour and the prices average only 10 to 15 cents more on items. It is unlikely that it will affect fast food demand and to the minor extent that it does, health in the community should increase (I think demand will actually go up as the workers will be able to afford eating out more).
Mayor Brown and the Wage Board, I am impressed with your work so far, but I am now challenging you to show my kids, Thomas and Carmella, that democracy in our country is a reality. Show them that the majority rules not the big money. Show them that those in power care about justice as much as they do.
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