Kirsten Gillibrand: I Stand in Solidarity With McDonald's Workers

There is dignity in work. There is dignity in providing for your family. There is dignity in working your way into the middle class. But there is no dignity in underpaying workers or exposing them to unchecked sexual harassment in their workplace.Today, workers at McDonald's restaurants are demanding to be treated with dignity. That means raising their wages, allowing them to unionize and ensuring their workplace is free from sexual harassment.The problem for many Americans is not just unemployment, but underemployment due to poor wages. It is unacceptable that a single mom in this country can work two jobs and still not come out ahead at the end of the month. It is unacceptable that a corporation that makes more than $6 billion in profits refuses to require franchisees to pay workers at least $15 an hour.That's why, as president, I'll launch a national jobs training program to give workers the skills they need to earn higher-paying jobs and work their way into the middle class.These workers also deserve the option to unionize. Collective bargaining for better wages and working conditions is one of the strongest tactics we have to fight corporate greed and corruption. We must ensure that workers' voices and concerns are heard in board rooms across America. Unions make us stronger, and they don't just raise wages for their members--they help raise wages for all working Americans.And when it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace, these workers deserve every protection available. Every claim of sexual misconduct must be fully investigated so that workers can receive the justice they deserve. I've spent my career tackling sexual harassment and assault in our military, on college campuses and in Congress. It doesn't matter where it takes place, we cannot allow these accusations to be swept under the rug or for this kind of behavior to continue in our workplaces.Today, I stand in solidarity with McDonald's workers and all Americans who work day in and day out to provide a better life for their families. Thank you to the union organizers supporting these workers. Thank you to the workers who were brave enough to tell their stories. I see you, I hear you, and I'm ready to fight with you.Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. is running for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president. She wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.   Continue reading...