Fast food strikes not likely to result in unionization

Some labor leaders said it's unlikely strikes in the U.S. fast food industry will result in unionization because of the 75 percent employee turnover rate. Fast food workers in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Mo., and Flint, Mich., have held one-day walkouts and protests, seeking $15 an hour, more than twice the federal minimum wage of $7.25 many of them are making. Nelson Lichtenstein, a labor historian at the University of California, said he's doubtful fast food worker unions would be created out of the strikes, The New York Times reported Wednesday. He said potential unions should be cautious of the current enthusiasm. "You pour in a lot of resources, saying, 'Yes it does work,' and a year later it disintegrates," he said. Other labor leaders said the high turnover rate of fast food workers -- 75 percent -- makes unionization impossible. The one-day strikes were expected to continue Thursday with a walk-out planned in Milwaukee, the Times said.