30 Aug 2013

Bid to raise minimum wage in US

11:14 am on 30 August 2013

Low-paid workers in the United States are on strike in an attempt to raise the minimum wage.

They want to be paid $US15 an hour, double the rate for many employees at fast-food chains.

Outlets like Burger King, McDonald's and Wendy's in New York, Chicago and Detroit are being targetted. Other cities include Boston, Atlanta, Hartford, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and St Louis.

The BBC reports some members of Congress suggest bringing the current rate up to $US9 an hour from $US7.25, which was set in 2009.

In a statement, McDonald's and Burger King Worldwide said they do not make pay decisions at the majority of the restaurants that operate as independent franchises in the United States.

The BBC reports they argue that raising entry-level wages would lead to higher overall costs and higher prices.