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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/05/mcdonalds-fast-food-worker-strike-wage
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I've worked at McDonald's for 5 years and have 4 kids. Any questions for me? | I've worked at McDonald's for 5 years and have 4 kids. Any questions for me? |
(1 day later) | |
Laurentina is taking part in a strike today outside the McDonald's in Chicago where she works. After five years as a McDonald's employee, she earns $9.15 an hour, which is not enough to support her four children. "I know a lot of people going through this same situation I am going through," she told the Guardian. Despite wanting more hours, she is often lucky to get 25 to 30 hours a week. Laurentina is opening up about the realities of her job as part of our A day's work series. Leave more questions for her in the comments, and she will answer them later today. | Laurentina is taking part in a strike today outside the McDonald's in Chicago where she works. After five years as a McDonald's employee, she earns $9.15 an hour, which is not enough to support her four children. "I know a lot of people going through this same situation I am going through," she told the Guardian. Despite wanting more hours, she is often lucky to get 25 to 30 hours a week. Laurentina is opening up about the realities of her job as part of our A day's work series. Leave more questions for her in the comments, and she will answer them later today. |
1. What is your typical day like? | 1. What is your typical day like? |
I work five days a week. I get up, take my kids to school, head to work and try to eat something before I start as I don't always know when I'm going to get a break. It's up to them what position I work that day. I've done everything – kitchen, grille, product stocking, cashier. They've offered me [a chance] to be a manager, but it's not worth it for a 50 cent raise. The managers are always so stressed out, worrying that we don't have enough people for that shift. I have four kids to worry about, I don't need stress to take home. | I work five days a week. I get up, take my kids to school, head to work and try to eat something before I start as I don't always know when I'm going to get a break. It's up to them what position I work that day. I've done everything – kitchen, grille, product stocking, cashier. They've offered me [a chance] to be a manager, but it's not worth it for a 50 cent raise. The managers are always so stressed out, worrying that we don't have enough people for that shift. I have four kids to worry about, I don't need stress to take home. |
2. There's been a lot of talk lately about people wanting work/life balance. Does your job provide that? | 2. There's been a lot of talk lately about people wanting work/life balance. Does your job provide that? |
It's very tough. I get paid $9.15 an hour. I have to depend on the father of my children for a lot, always asking him for money. It would be nice to be able to support my kids on my own. That's why I decided to work. I applied to McDonald's, and they called me right away. I was hired right on the spot. | |
When I started working, [my pay] was around $6.25 at hour. It went up because the minimum wage went up. I get a raise every 6 months, but it's often only 5 cents. The most I've ever seen is a 25 cent raise, but that's hard to get. | When I started working, [my pay] was around $6.25 at hour. It went up because the minimum wage went up. I get a raise every 6 months, but it's often only 5 cents. The most I've ever seen is a 25 cent raise, but that's hard to get. |
3. What's the craziest/most unexpected thing that's ever happened to you while on the job? | 3. What's the craziest/most unexpected thing that's ever happened to you while on the job? |
I had one customer – I provided his coffee and he went off on me. I just walked away. The manager was like why did you just leave the customer? I said, "Look, I didn't want to say anything that would make me lose my job." But the manager saw the whole thing and didn't stand up for me. | I had one customer – I provided his coffee and he went off on me. I just walked away. The manager was like why did you just leave the customer? I said, "Look, I didn't want to say anything that would make me lose my job." But the manager saw the whole thing and didn't stand up for me. |
Honestly, about 1 out of 10 [customers] are really really rude. You just have to keep everything to yourself. I try to "kill them with kindness". I try to treat people with respect. There are some really nice customers. | |
4. What makes for a really good day on the job? | 4. What makes for a really good day on the job? |
There are good days. There are managers who are really nice and say "Hi, how are you? We've been waiting for you" when you arrive. They make sure you get a break and make sure you feel supported. I get along pretty well with all our managers, but you still have to watch what you say to them. They are your bosses. We try to keep a line between us and the managers. | There are good days. There are managers who are really nice and say "Hi, how are you? We've been waiting for you" when you arrive. They make sure you get a break and make sure you feel supported. I get along pretty well with all our managers, but you still have to watch what you say to them. They are your bosses. We try to keep a line between us and the managers. |
There was this one time three yeras ago, a customer came in through the drive through. It was around Christmas time. She said, "Here. This is for you. It's Christmas." And this woman gave me a $50 bill and said to keep it. It was really an amazing extra present. | |
5. What's your annual salary? Do you get benefits? | 5. What's your annual salary? Do you get benefits? |
They are always checking that you never make 40 hours. I typically make [sic] between 25 and 30 hours a week. They often stop you at 38 hours a week. It's really hard with my kids. I know I could get two jobs, but then would I be able to raise my kids? Would I be able to give them enough attention? By the time I'm out of work, they are out of school, but I still try to spend time with them. it's hard. | |
We don't get healthcare benefits. We are now thrown into the healthcare market. McDonald's just gave us a litle card – "how to navigate the health market". I am hoping to find time to look it up. Mcdonald's has been providing info where we eat on posters and stuff. | We don't get healthcare benefits. We are now thrown into the healthcare market. McDonald's just gave us a litle card – "how to navigate the health market". I am hoping to find time to look it up. Mcdonald's has been providing info where we eat on posters and stuff. |
For our break, we get one free meal from McDonald's. We do get discounts on McDonald's meals on our days off. They provide uniforms for us, and every 6 months we get shoes from them to work there. | For our break, we get one free meal from McDonald's. We do get discounts on McDonald's meals on our days off. They provide uniforms for us, and every 6 months we get shoes from them to work there. |
6. Why are you striking today? | 6. Why are you striking today? |
We're hoping to get better benefits and better pay: $15 an hour. Fortunately, i'm not worried about losing my job. I'll be outside my restaurant. Some customers do support us, some just think we're crazy. There are usually a lot of people honking in support. I am doing it first and foremost for my family. I always think of them. But I know a lot of people going through this same situation I am going through. | |
7. What is your dream job? | 7. What is your dream job? |
I've always wanted to be a cook – a chef. I love cooking. | I've always wanted to be a cook – a chef. I love cooking. |
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