Jul 25, 2013 11:34 AM EDT
Fast-Food Workers Plan Protest in 7 Cities, Demanding Higher Wages

Thousands of low-wage fast-food workers are planning to walk off their jobs in seven cities, as a movement for better pay. 

Workers are planning a one day strike to some of the nation's biggest fast-food chains on Monday, according to the Washington Post. Some of the chains include KFC, Wendy's, Burger King and McDonalds. 

The protest has been under construction for a year and it is aimed to force on benefits for employees. Workers are fighting to raise the low pay and demanding a living wage of $15 an hour.

The walkouts are scheduled to take place in five cities: Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Louis. Those cities, where protest have been held before, will be joined by fast-food employees in Flint, Mich., and Kansas City, Mo. 

According to the Washington Post, organizers said low-wage employees in chains such as Victoria Secret, Macy's and Dollar Tree, will be joining the employees during the protest in those seven cities. 

Workers blame the recession for wiping out many middle-income jobs with few educational credentials. Some employers with a large number of low-wage workers are against the idea of paying workers high wages. 

Wal-Mart threatened to put a stop to places to build three stores in the Washington area after D.C. City Council passed a bill requiring larger retailers to pay workers "living wage," which is about $12.50 an hour.

The protesters have found support in a mountain of communities and labor groups such as Service Employees International Union. 

"SEIU members, like all service sector workers, are worse off when large fast-food and retail companies are able to hold down wages and push down benefit standards for working people," said Mary Kay Henry, SEIU president, according to the Washington Post. 

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