Durham McDonald's workers joining nationwide '#Striketober' walkouts

McDonald’s and other low wage workers with NC Raise Up will be gathering at the McDonald's at 1010 N. Miami Blvd. in Durham at 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We are out here really demanding a union, so we can get changes that we can’t get by ourselves,” said Rita Blalock, a McDonald’s worker. “Right now, workers are getting harassed and some people are scared to speak out because they feel like they might lose their jobs. Coming together in a union would help because we would have a real voice in our store. Not just about abuse, but about wages and safety and everything else.”

Blalock said she makes $10 an hour after over ten years with the company.

#Striketober is a10-city strike calling on McDonald’s to stamp out workplace sexual harassment and violence. The striking workers are speaking out about the importance of coming together in a union.

NC Raise Up is the North Carolina branch of Fight for $15, a national organization fighting for a $15 minimum wage for low-income workers.

A 10-city walkout in 2018 organized by Fight for $15 was the first strike over sexual harassment in more than 100 years.

Simultaneous strike actions will take place in Charlotte and Marion, N.C.