Workers in Michigan cities participate in global fast-food protests calling for higher pay

5/15/2014

Protesters picket for higher wages outside a McDonalds restaurant in Detroit Thursday, May 15, 2014. Calling for higher pay and the right to form a union without retaliation, fast-food chain workers protested Thursday as part of a wave of strikes and protests in 150 cities across the U.S. and 33 additional countries on six continents. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT — Workers in Michigan are among those turning up the heat on McDonald’s and other fast-food companies with protests calling for higher employee pay.

Workers protested to at McDonald’s restaurants in cities including Detroit and Flint, with dozens of people marching outside.

The planned global demonstrations build on a campaign by unions to bring attention to the plight of low-wage workers and get the public behind the idea of a $15-an-hour wage. Businesses say significant wage increases would hurt their ability to create jobs.

The protests, which began in late 2012, are being backed by the Service Employees International Union, which represents more than 2 million members. Restaurants in Michigan have been the site of employee actions during earlier rounds of protests.