A coalition of Black advocacy groups and labor activists are organizing a nationwide strike to pressure corporations, such as McDonald's, Amazon, Uber and Lyft, to raise wages and allow their workers to form unions. Thousands of workers are expected to walk off the job in more than 25 cities on July 20 in a mass demonstration called the Strike for Black Lives, organizers say. The strike takes aim at various industries in which Black workers are disproportionately represented, including fast food, airports, gig workers, nursing and home health aides... The protest is being organized by the Movement for Black Lives — a coalition of black advocacy groups — and several labor rights organizations, including the Service Employee International Union and the fast-food industry labor advocacy group known as Fight for $15 and a Union.

... Richard Wallace, a Movement for Black Lives leader [said]... "You can't pay people minimum wage for a job, knowing it's not a living wage, knowing that [a plurality] of your workforce is black, and then come out and say, 'Black Lives Matter,'" he told CNN Business. "A collective bargaining agreement is the only ironclad way of ensuring those values that they're promoting in this moment are held onto in perpetuity until the contract is resolved."

... McDonald's... reaffirmed its support for Black Lives Matter in a statement to CNN Business, but declined to directly address to questions about its workers forming a union. "With one of the most diverse workforces in the world, we believe Black lives matter, and it is our responsibility to continue to listen and learn and push for a more inclusive society by being open, honest and candid," a McDonald's spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Uber... and Lyft... did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the Strike for Black Lives.

... Black Americans make up about 13% of the US population, but nearly 20% of workers in the nation's food preparation and serving sector... [M]ore than 37% of the country's nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides are Black.