Actresses Alyssa Milano and Amy Schumer are standing behind the Wendy’s boycott as female workers fight to end sexual harassment and demand better working conditions.
Milano posted a lengthy statement on Facebook Wednesday slamming the company for it’s ‘shocking’ response to female farmworkers telling the Huffington Post that conditions in the fields are brutal and inhumane.
Former farmworker Antonio Martinez told the outlet that female workers are often asked to do sexual favors and are fired it they refuse or complain. Martinez said she worked for 15 years picking tomatoes in Florida that were then used in Wendy’s restaurants.
Alyssa Milano (left) and Amy Schumer (right) are supporting female farmworkers boycotting Wendy’s
Milano posted a lengthy statement slamming Wendy’s for suggesting that the farmworkers who boycotted in New York City last week were trying to ‘exploit’ the #MeToo movement after they accused the company of ignoring sexual harassment and abuse
Schumer applauded Milano’s statement telling her ‘thank you’
Heidi Schauer, a spokesperson for the company brushed off the claims telling the Huffington Post that the farmworkers boycotting are ‘trying to exploit the positive momentum that has been generated by and for women in the #MeToo and Times’s Up movement to advance their interest’.
Milano said Wendy’s response was ‘offensive’.
‘Wendy’s, this is very simple: These women are the #MeToo movement. The Time’s Up movement was created in part to “lift up the voices, power, and strength of women working in low-wage industries”. To suggest that farmworker women … are somehow unwelcome intruders in the fight for dignity and safety for women is downright absurd and unbelievably offensive,’ she said in a Facebook post.
‘I stand with our sisters in the fields, and applaud their efforts to expand the new protections guaranteed in the Fair Food Program to the millions more women who are seeking change.
‘And a final word of advice, Wendy’s: If you really want to get on the wrong side of the Time’s Up movement, keep using our name to attack and belittle farmworker women who are fighting to keep themselves and their sisters safe from rape in the fields.’
Schumer applauded Milano’s response sharing a screenshot of the actress’ statement on her Instagram Story and writing ‘thank you’.
Farmworkers have said that conditions in the field are brutal and some women have been sexually harassed
On March 15, farmworkers and their supporters marched in the streets of New York City
They are demanding Wendy’s join the Fair Foods Program, which would protect farmworkers
During the march, the farmworkers and their supporters fasted for five days outside the offices of Wendy’s board chairman and hedge fund investor Nelson Peltz
On March 15, female farmworkers and their supporters peacefully protested in the streets of New York City demanding Wendy’s join other fast-food chains in implementing the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Program.
Workers at the march told the Huffington Post that the program would ensure farmworkers could take breaks and vacations without the fear of being fired.
It will also protect women from sexual harassment and abuse.
McDonald’s, Walmart, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut have already joined the Fair Food Program.
Wendy’s refuses to join the program, according to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
During the march, the farmworkers and their supporters fasted for five days outside the offices of Wendy’s board chairman and hedge fund investor Nelson Peltz, demanding the company join the program.