Nationwide rally for higher minimum wage for fast-food workers today in

The fast food protests were planned by organizers at more than 270 cities nationwide, part of an ongoing campaign called “Fight for $15”.

NY Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio told a Fight for $15 rally, “This country can’t be what it’s supposed to be if people don’t make a decent wage”.

The protests are aimed at gaining political support for a minimum wage of $15 an hour and union rights as income inequality looms as an issue heading into the 2016 presidential election. These protests come exactly one year from the 2016 presidential election.

“The money I bring home can barely take care of my rent”, said Alvin Major, 50, a Brooklyn KFC worker who was among about 200 sign-carrying protesters who blocked traffic in Brooklyn.

Burger King said that it does not set wages or make other employment-related decisions for the franchisees who own and operate nearly all of its locations.

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25.

“A lot of us work hard and still have nothing to show for it”, home healthcare worker Jasmine Almodovar told newsnet5.com.

The Obama administration has been pushing for a more modest increase in the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, but has been unable to get that through Congress. Her pay isn’t enough to cover rent or diapers for her child, the 23-year-old said.

Local labor groups and other organizations are expected to be part of the demonstrations on Tuesday which include protesting outside a McDonald’s on Jay Scutti Boulevard early in the day, and ending with a rally at Washington Square Park and a march to City Hall at 5pm. This time, they are calling on other low-paying jobs to do the same, hoping to attract maintenance workers, daycare workers, and others to their cause. A large protest is also planned for the fourth GOP Primary debate, which takes place in Milwaukee on Tuesday.