Largest-Ever Fast Food Worker Protest Planned For This Week

Fast food workers are currently planning a nationwide protest for higher wages, to be held on Thursday, September 4. It's shaping up to be the largest demonstration of the "Fight for 15," the effort to raise (in some cases doubling) fast food workers' salaries to $15 an hour, minimum. Organizers predict that thousands of workers will join in over 100 cities nationwide for the protest this week in order to fight for a living wage.

What is the difference between a minimum wage and a livable wage? Quite a bit, apparently. On the current nationwide minimum wage, even if someone worked 60 hours per week, they would only receive a $22,620 annual paycheck (before taxes). The living wage for one adult in New York City is $12.75, (or $39,780 per year at 60 hours a week) and is $11.37 in Los Angeles (or $35,474.40 annually at 60 hours per week) Even in a more rural part of the country, Savannah, the living wage is $9.25 per hour.

The protest coincides with President Obama's recent call for a minimum wage increase which, many assert, will eventually put the federal minimum wage at $10.10 per hour, which is still significantly below the demand for $15 an hour.

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Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter@JoannaFantozzi