By CANDICE CHOI ADVERTISING By CANDICE CHOI and SAM HANANEL Associated Press NEW YORK — Fast-food workers and labor organizers marched, waved signs and chanted in cities across the country Thursday in a push for higher wages. Organizers said employees
By CANDICE CHOI
and SAM HANANEL
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Fast-food workers and labor organizers marched, waved signs and chanted in cities across the country Thursday in a push for higher wages.
Organizers said employees planned to forgo work in 100 cities, with rallies set for another 100 cities. But by late afternoon, it was unclear what the actual turnout was or how many participants were workers. At targeted restaurants, the disruptions seemed minimal or temporary.
The protests are part of an effort that began about a year ago and is spearheaded by the Service Employees International Union, which has spent millions to bankroll local worker groups and organize publicity for the demonstrations. Protesters are calling for pay of $15 an hour, but the figure is seen more as a rallying point than a near-term possibility.
At a time when there’s growing national and international attention on economic disparities, advocacy groups and Democrats are hoping to build public support to raise the federal minimum wage of $7.25. That comes to about $15,000 a year for full-time work.
On Thursday, crowds gathered outside restaurants in cities including Boston; Lakewood, Calif.; Phoenix; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, N.C., where protesters walked into a Burger King but didn’t stop customers from getting their food.
