Workers to protest for $15 minimum wage across Michigan

(WJBK) - Hundreds of minimum wage workers and their supporters are holding protests Monday across Michigan.

They're pushing for a $15 hourly wage and the right to form a union without interference. Fast food workers in Detroit will be walking off the job at noon and joining efforts with the Poor People's Campaign in solidarity.

A rally and press conference are expected to be held around 12:15 p.m. at the MLK Memorial Park at the corner of Grand River and Rosa Parks in Detroit. Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem Mary Sheffield will be joining fast food workers, hospital workers, faith and community leaders in the fight for $15 an hour.

The restaurant industry is Michigan's second largest private employer, racking up nearly $17 billion each year. Michigan's minimum wage went up $9.25/hour at the beginning of 2018.

Last year One Fair Wage of Michigan began a petition to drive the state's minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2022.

Today's march falls 50 years after the Poor People's Campaign began. It was organized by MLK, demanding economic and human rights for Americans of diverse backgrounds.

In 1968, the strike was provoked when two men were killed in garbage compactors, prompting more than 700 workers to protest for better pay and safer working conditions.

Today is part of a national movement as well. The one-day walkout is expected to end with a 1500 person march in Memphis, the same route the workers walked nearly 50 years ago.