People's Unemployment Line: Demand a Safe & Just Return to Work!
Approximately ten million tipped and service workers have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 16, 2020, we launched the One Fair Wage Emergency Fund to help tipped service workers who have disproportionately lost their jobs, and who were underpaid and overworked to begin with. We had to do something to help the hard working folks in the service industry because the government has failed to come through for working people during the pandemic.
We will be organizing an in-person action on Monday, June 22 at 200 Chestnut Street, at the office of U.S. Republican Senator Pat Toomey's office, to give unemployed service workers the opportunity to lift up their voices with regard to the need for change.
Throughout this crisis, solutions have come from the people. We know that the system is destructive. We know that the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers is a vestige of slavery and the fact that most low-wage workers are black and brown is a product of the same racism. We know that sexual harassment is worse when women have to rely on tips for wages. And we know that unemployment insurance wasn’t designed to help us when we’re in need, but force us to be desperate enough to take even lower-wage work.
We Demand:
- Paid sick leave, PPE, safety protocols, and One Fair Wage before we return to work!
- $600 renewal for every unemployment insurance applicant until work is safe!
- Paycheck guarantee for all workers during the crisis!
This will be a peaceful protest organized and lead by black and brown One Fair Wage organizers. Any and all workers and allies are welcome. Please bring signs advocating for the need for a safe and just return to work for all!
This is a coalition event and will include organization such as One Fair Wage, the Philadelphia Unemployment Project, and ROC Philly.