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St. Louis Jimmy John's Workers Stage Walk-Out For Higher Wages

(via Flickr/stevendepolo)

Employees at a Jimmy John’s franchise in St. Louis’ Soulard neighborhood staged a walk-out today.

The workers are seeking $15 an hour, rather than the $7.35 minimum they currently make.

In a statement, workers also complained of being publicly disciplined for trivial incidents and forced to wear signs.

Shamniqua Clark says it was the right decision for her to take part in the walk-out.

“It was scary for a second, but then I sat and realized like ‘If I don’t go through this what am I going to do? Come here and feel like I’m being played?’ No, I’m tired of this; I have to change somehow,” Clark says.

Jimmy John’s corporate office offered no comment, and no one answered the phone at the Soulard franchise.

More walk-outs are expected this evening and Thursday at several fast food franchises throughout St. Louis as part of a rally organized by “STL Can’t Survive on $7.35," referring to Missouri’s current minimum wage.

Maria is the newscast, business and education editor for St. Louis Public Radio.