Philadelphia Fast-Food Workers Join in One-Day Job Action

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Fast food workers around the world are holding demonstrations today, demanding higher wages.

Here in Philadelphia, 19-year-old Justice Wallace led a chant outside a McDonald's restaurant at Broad and Arch Streets, a block north of City Hall.

"I'm fired up!" she shouted.  The crowd responded as prompted: "Can't take it no more!"

Wallace (wearing orange hijab in photo) works at a Subway store, making $7.50 an hour.

"It's expensive with child care and food and clothing and utilities and rent," she told KYW Newsradio.  "It's a lot.  I live paycheck to paycheck."

The fast food workers want a $15-an-hour wage and the right to form a union without retaliation.

The businesses say such a wage would hurt their ability to create jobs.

"We want to show the companies that, without us, they have nothing," Wallace said.  "Without us, who is going to work for you?"

In:
• Minimum Wage
• KYW Newsradio 1060
• McDonald's
• Community
• Subway
• Philadelphia