The Forge Recognizes Local 727 Lead Business Agent Caleen Carter-Patton’s Role in the Origin of the “Fight for 15” Campaign
Click here to read the story of the workers and organizers in Chicago — most of them women — whose efforts to build an organization of downtown workers helped to spark the national and global “Fight for 15” movement. One of those organizers was Local 727’s very own Caleen Carter-Patton, Lead Business Agent for groups including SP +, Keurig Dr. Pepper, and Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution.
The Forge Article outlines the origin of the “Fight for 15” movement, and describes how Carter-Patton and a team of organizers built a list of over 20,000 low-wage workers from businesses such as McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts, as well as coffee shop baristas and retail workers from Macy’s and Sears. Carter-Patton and her organizing colleagues then proceeded to successfully reach out to those workers and encouraged them not only to sign union cards, but to become publicly active union members. In November 2012, Chicago workers took to the streets, carrying for the first time ever, banners that read “Fight for 15.” Within weeks, workers in New York adopted the Chicago-originated slogan and the national (and eventual international) branch of the campaign was born.
Local 727 could not be prouder of Caleen Carter-Patton and her tireless dedication to the labor movement!
Category: Union News
