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Labor
PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
3:59pm
Fri Jun 7

Walmart Workers Call For A Living Wage, Better Work Conditions (VIDEO)

Labor

When Larry Born’s privately-owned retail business closed its doors during the recession in 2009, he sought employment at Walmart. He said he didn’t know it at the time, but he walked into a “predatory employer” that pays “slave wages.” Born was one of nearly 100 people who protested outside Chicago’s Walmart Express store, at 570 West Monroe St., to demand better wages and improved working conditions for the employees of the world’s largest retailer.

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
3:58pm
Thu Jun 6

Chicago Workers Protest Low Wages, Treatment of McDonald's Employees On Global Day Of Action (VIDEO)

Chicago fast food workers and advocates for a living wage protested outside a downtown McDonald’s Thursday morning, demanding that the company stop mistreating its workers. 

Thursday’s protest coincided with similar demonstrations at McDonald's restaurants in more than 30 countries as part of the National Guestworker Alliance’s global anti-exploitation campaign against the fast food giant. 

Tyree Johnson, who has worked at McDonald’s in Chicago for 21 years, said he has been “exploited” and “disrespected” at the hands of the company.

“I complained to my boss about a raise, and I told her I’ve been evicted, and she said, ‘So what? I don’t care,’” Johnson said outside the McDonald’s at 23 S. Clark St. “So I’m here to fight and stand up for $15 a hour and support guestworkers who have been exploited also.”

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
6:57pm
Fri May 31

As U.S. House Works On Immigration Reform Bill, Health Care Remains An Area Of Contention (VIDEO)

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D, IL-4) said one of the most challenging aspects of comprehensive immigration reform is providing health care to America’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, without spending taxpayer dollars.

“We have to figure out how to keep (undocumented immigrants) healthy, how to make sure they continue to get medical treatment and don’t become a charge [to taxpayers],” he said.

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