The Hub portion of a national fast-food workforce strike fell far below expectations — but organizers said it was a success nonetheless.
About 60 workers from local Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, KFC, Popeyes and Burger King either walked off their jobs, didn't show for work or picketed off-shift on Boston Common in support of raising their pay to $15 an hour and forming unions without retaliation. Up to 200 were expected.
"It's a huge success," said Reginald Zimmerman, spokesman for MassUniting, a coalition of labor, faith and community groups that helped organize the strike. "A good amount of workers turned out. There's a lot of great support from political and community leaders. This is just the beginning."
MassUniting and Service Employees International Union, which backed worker actions in more than 50 cities yesterday, organized rolling picket lines at fast-food restaurants and a rally on Boston Common.
"I hope to accomplish that they raise the minimum wage," said Jennifer Jimenez, 25, a striker who makes $8.50 an hour for working at a Dunkin' in Roslindale. "I wouldn't expect it to go to $15 if they raise it — $10.50 at least."
Workers participating in job actions are protected under the National Labor Relations Act, said Gregory King, spokesman for the National Labor Relations Board in Washington.
"Basically the law says that employees, whether they're in a union or not in a union, are empowered to work together to improve their pay and working conditions," he said. "If someone gets fired and raises a complaint, we would investigate it."
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino backs the workers' efforts, as does U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who addressed the rally.
"The mayor has always been a strong believer in people being able to voice their opinion and organize," spokeswoman Dot Joyce said.
Markey "absolutely supports their efforts to earn a better wage and to be able to support their families," spokesman Eben Burnham-Snyder said.
Massachusetts Restaurant Association CEO Bob Luz said the strike was "a fight that the unions are trying to bring that no one is really asking for."
"They've launched a pretty well-funded campaign," he said.
Luz said restaurants are "unparalleled" in offering workers a path up, saying nine of 10 managers start as hourly workers, and that less than 5 percent of industry jobs pay minimum wage.
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