Workforce

Food workers at Smithsonian strike over wages

Organizers say the workers plan to protest Thursday outside the National Air and Space Museum and march to the Smithsonian Castle.

Federal News Network Staff

July 12, 2013 8:53 am

< a min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Workers from two Smithsonian Institution museum eateries are staging a one-day strike calling for the federally funded museums to ensure they are paid a “living wage.”

Organizers say the workers plan to protest Thursday outside the National Air and Space Museum and march to the Smithsonian Castle.

The workers are employed by McDonald’s Corp. and Restaurant Associates, which operate museum restaurants on the National Mall. Organizers say the strike includes restaurant workers from the National Museum of American History and the space museum.

This is the latest in a string of protests by service workers at federal buildings.

Workers are submitting a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough calling for higher wages and paid holidays that other workers receive. They cite the Smithsonian’s $30 million in profits from business units.