Labor organizers say protesters will turn out in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries today in support of higher pay for fast-food workers.
Protested chains will include McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell. The demonstrations build on a campaign by unions to bring attention to the plight of low-wage workers and get the public behind the idea of a $15-an-hour wage. The businesses say such a wage would hurt their ability to create jobs.
The campaign comes as President Barack Obama works to raise the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which translates to about $15,000 a year for a full-time job. The protests have captured media attention at a time when the gap between the rich and poor has widened. Protest turnouts have varied widely.