Greg Reynoso, 23, says he was fired from his job as a Domino’s Pizza deliveryman because he brought his co-workers to pro-union rallies. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Workers at several Brooklyn fast food restaurants are planning to strike on Friday evening to rally for higher wages and the freedom to unionize without fear of losing their jobs, New York Daily News reports.
Employees from McDonald’s, Papa John’s Pizza and Domino’s restaurants from across Brooklyn are expected to participate in the dinnertime walkout.
The strike comes after former Domino’s deliveryman, Greg Reynoso, 23, was fired for bringing his co-workers to pro-union rallies during the past year.
“We live in America. Why shouldn’t we have unions?” Reynoso told the News. “We deserve to make more money. How can we live? It’s impossible.”
Hundreds of fast food workers from across the city rallied last November and this past April.
Reynoso said his bosses were already angry with him for demanding more money, but they fired him for taking his co-workers to the marches. He was earning $7.25 per hour.
A Domino’s spokesman said Reynoso was fired because he “grabbed his crotch in an open and obscene manner” and “used profanities.”Reynoso denied the allegations.
The spokesman added that the pizza chain treats workers well enough that unions are not needed, and that deliverymen earn up to $10 per hour including tips.
Friday’s strikes are just the beginning of a nationwide campaign. Thousands of city fast food workers are expected to join the movement – called Fast Food Forward – by protesting on Monday.
Fast Food Forward’s goals include increasing pay to $15 per hour and allowing employees to unionize without risk of losing their jobs.
