Photos: Justice for Janitors Rally and the "Fight for 15" Campaign

We've been keeping you up to date on the ongoing Fight for 15 campaign, a series of events in Denver and beyond featuring low-wage workers calling for payments of $15 per hour. A rally of fast-food workers in April drew hundreds of passionate supporters, and the group has another event scheduled...

By Michael Roberts

June 22, 2015

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We've been keeping you up to date on the ongoing Fight for 15 campaign, a series of events in Denver and beyond featuring low-wage workers calling for payments of $15 per hour.

A rally of fast-food workers in April drew hundreds of passionate supporters, and that group has another event scheduled for noon today, June 22, at a Denver area McDonald's, 300 South Broadway — the corner of Broadway and Alameda.

Today's gathering will be looking to build on the momentum established this past week, when Justice for Janitors — an organization marking its 25th anniversary this year — joined the Fight for 15 movement with a Denver event.

No surprise why: Organizers note that 42 percent of the American workforce earns less than $15 per hour, including many janitors, who are scheduled to begin their next contract negotiations in Denver during the spring of 2016.

Among those supporting a boost in the minimum wage are three members of the Denver City Council: Stacie Gilmore, Debbie Ortega and Robin Kniech. In a joint statement, they write: “Raising the minimum wage in Colorado can have a huge economic impact on Denver and the rest of the state. The conversation is evolving, your voice is getting heard and growing louder.”

Look below to see photos from the Justice for Janitors rally courtesy of Corinna Lander/Left in Focus.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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