Workers at a Columbia, South Carolina Waffle house originally organized and created a petition with a list of demands to Waffle House management. Their demands hit a host of issues they believe to be crucial to their safety and well-being.
Workers are asking for increased security protections at the restaurant. Employees report that they often come across unruly or outright violent customers on the job and the 24-hour diner chain leaves little protection for them.
Low-wages and staffing shortages are also on the list of demands. Workers are reporting that they can barely afford the basic necessities. All of these issues pushed them to strike.
The strike, which took place over three days in July, brought together workers who voiced their demands. Black people are disproportionately represented in the low-wage foodservice industry, making this strike important for Black workers.
The strike concluded on July 10th, but the Waffle House workers are continuing to advocate for themselves with the help of the Union of Southern Service Workers. This recent strike is just the beginning for them.