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Labor

Fast-food workers: We’re not lovin’ it

By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
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By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
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May 15, 2014, 11:12 AM ET

FORTUNE — Fast-food workers are continuing their struggle for higher wages and better working conditions Thursday, with protests and strikes planned in more than 150 U.S. cities and 30 countries.

Workers are seeking a wage of $15 per hour, a fairly big jump considering that many workers make close to the current federal minimum wage of $7.25.

According to The New York Times, the movement is seeking solidarity and help from fast food workers overseas. The reason is twofold. One, the labor movement in the U.S. is floundering, and seeking help from overseas can provide stability. Second, major fast-food chains like McDonald’s (MCD) and Burger King (BKW) are multinational corporations, meaning that corporate policy on labor affects many overseas workers in similar ways to domestic employees.

MORE: Fast food strikes: why going global could work

The movement to improve wages and conditions for fast-food workers began in New York City in November 2012, when around 200 workers walked out of 60 establishments in the city.

The movement got perhaps its biggest moment of mainstream attention in January of this year, when striker and union activist Naquasia Legrand appeared on The Colbert Report to talk about the need for unions and higher wages.

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By Ben Geier
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