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US fast-food workers staging nationwide strike US fast-food workers staging nationwide strike
(35 minutes later)
Fast-food workers in nearly 100 cities across the US are planning to hold a 24-hour strike on Thursday in protest at low wages, organisers say. Fast-food workers across the US are staging a 24-hour strike in protest at low wages, organisers say.
The walkout is the latest in a series of strikes this year. Walkouts are reportedly under way in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and also Detroit, Michigan; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Labour unions are calling for a higher federal minimum wage than the current $7.25 (£4.43) per hour, which was set in 2009. Organisers hope nearly 100 cities will participate in what is the latest in a series of strikes.
Labour unions are seeking a federal minimum wage higher than the current $7.25 (£4.43) per hour, set in 2009.
They are calling for $15 an hour.
'We can't survive'
President Barack Obama has said he will back a Senate measure to raise the minimum wage rate to $10.10.President Barack Obama has said he will back a Senate measure to raise the minimum wage rate to $10.10.
His Democratic allies, who control the upper chamber of Congress, have said a vote on the matter could be held this month.His Democratic allies, who control the upper chamber of Congress, have said a vote on the matter could be held this month.
But even if it passes the Senate, it is not clear if it would be approved by the Republican-led House of Representatives.But even if it passes the Senate, it is not clear if it would be approved by the Republican-led House of Representatives.
'We can't survive'
Protestors are calling for $15 an hour, a figure seen by many as ambitious.
Campaigners say the current national minimum wage, which amounts to a salary of about $15,000 for a full-time worker, is not enough to live on.Campaigners say the current national minimum wage, which amounts to a salary of about $15,000 for a full-time worker, is not enough to live on.
Nearly 100 protestors descended on a New York City McDonald's at 06:30 local time (11:30 GMT) on Thursday, chanting "We can't survive on $7.25", according to media reports.Nearly 100 protestors descended on a New York City McDonald's at 06:30 local time (11:30 GMT) on Thursday, chanting "We can't survive on $7.25", according to media reports.
Tyeisha Batts, a Burger King employee, told the Associated Press news agency her manager had warned workers that those who joined in the strikes would be denied work shifts.Tyeisha Batts, a Burger King employee, told the Associated Press news agency her manager had warned workers that those who joined in the strikes would be denied work shifts.
She said she was already only working 10 to 20 hours per week, far below the 40 hours which constitute full-time employee status.She said she was already only working 10 to 20 hours per week, far below the 40 hours which constitute full-time employee status.
The American fast-food industry has come under increasing scrutiny because part-time jobs, including retail and food positions, have made up most of the job growth since the recession.The American fast-food industry has come under increasing scrutiny because part-time jobs, including retail and food positions, have made up most of the job growth since the recession.
It is not yet clear how many fast-food restaurants will be affected by Thursday's industrial action.It is not yet clear how many fast-food restaurants will be affected by Thursday's industrial action.
The workers' last nationwide strike, in August, was patchy, with some restaurants appearing to function normally while others were unable to do business.The workers' last nationwide strike, in August, was patchy, with some restaurants appearing to function normally while others were unable to do business.
The National Restaurant Association, an industry lobbying group, called the strikes a "campaign engineered by national labour groups", claiming the vast majority of participants were in fact union protestors.The National Restaurant Association, an industry lobbying group, called the strikes a "campaign engineered by national labour groups", claiming the vast majority of participants were in fact union protestors.
This week, a measure in the tiny airport town of SeaTac, Washington, to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour passed by 77 votes. This week, a measure in the tiny airport town of SeaTac, Washington state, to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour passed by 77 votes.
As a result, some 6,300 workers at SeaTac's airport, which primarily serves the region's largest city, Seattle, Washington, will be paid the highest minimum wage in the nation.As a result, some 6,300 workers at SeaTac's airport, which primarily serves the region's largest city, Seattle, Washington, will be paid the highest minimum wage in the nation.
Saba Belachew is one of those workers. She told the BBC: "It will really change my life. I don't have to work two jobs, support my family, go back to school. I'm so excited."Saba Belachew is one of those workers. She told the BBC: "It will really change my life. I don't have to work two jobs, support my family, go back to school. I'm so excited."
However, Alaska Airlines, the airport's biggest airline, has sued to block Proposition 1, as it is known, and those opposed have demanded a recount.However, Alaska Airlines, the airport's biggest airline, has sued to block Proposition 1, as it is known, and those opposed have demanded a recount.
Regardless, union organizers in SeaTac said they were hoping the success of their vote would inspire workers protesting around the nation.Regardless, union organizers in SeaTac said they were hoping the success of their vote would inspire workers protesting around the nation.
"I think it starts here and I don't think it stops until it reaches Wall Street and Washington DC," said David Rolf, the president of the local service employees international union."I think it starts here and I don't think it stops until it reaches Wall Street and Washington DC," said David Rolf, the president of the local service employees international union.
"What we need is a social movement in this country that says enough is enough.""What we need is a social movement in this country that says enough is enough."