Organisers say thousands of fast-food workers were set to stage walkouts in dozens of cities, part of a push to get chains such as McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's to pay higher wages.
It's expected be the largest in a series of nationwide strike by fast-food workers, according to organisers.
Workers say they want USD 15 an hour, which would be about USD 31,000 a year for full-time employees. That's more than double the federal minimum wage, which many fast food workers make, of USD 7.25 an hour, or USD 15,000 a year.
The push has brought considerable attention to the so-called "McJobs" that are known for their low pay and limited prospects.
Fast-food workers say they can't live on what they're paid.
Shaniqua Davis, 20, lives in New York City with her boyfriend, who is unemployed, and their 1-year-old daughter. Davis works at a McDonald's, earning USD 7.25 an hour. Her schedule varies, but she never gets close to 40 hours a week. "Forty? Never. They refuse to let you get to that (many) hours."
McDonald's Corp. And Burger King Worldwide Inc. Say they don't make decisions about pay for the independent franchisees that operate the majority of their US restaurants.
For the restaurants it does own, McDonald's said in a statement that pay starts at minimum wage but the range goes higher, depending on the employee's position and experience level. It said that raising entry-level wages would mean higher overall costs, which could result in higher prices on menus.
"That would potentially have a negative impact on employment and business growth in our restaurants, as well as value for our customers," the company said in a statement.
The National Restaurant Association says the low wages reflect the fact that most fast-food workers tend to be younger and have little work experience.
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