American fast-food workers went on strike on Thursday. They want more money. They get paid the minimum wage of $7.25. This is the same as 2009. They cannot live on that. Prices have gone up but their wages have not. The workers want $15 an hour – double their current rate. A pizza restaurant worker told the BBC he got $9 an hour. It isn't enough for himself and his daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my right to fight for what I deserve."

McDonald's and Burger King said their restaurant managers decide about wages. Most of their restaurants are independent. They said higher wages would mean more expensive burgers. McDonald's profits were over $5.5 billion in 2011. A restaurant association said wages are low because the staff are young and have little work experience. Five per cent of fast-food workers get the minimum wage. Most of those are part-timers and half are teenagers.