A group of McDonald's workers say they serve food every day, but are struggling to feed their own families.
That's why several buses full of protestors are headed to a shareholders meeting at McDonald's Oak Brook headquarters Thursday to rally for better wages.
The workers say $8.25 an hour is not a liveable wage, and are seeing an increase to $15 an hour.
"We just want a liveable wage. We're tired of getting full hours but coming home with short checks," spokesman Robert Wilson said at a pre-rally outside River North's Rock 'n Roll McDonalds.
Hundreds of workers from several fast food restaurants walked off the job last month in support of the cause they're calling the "Fight for 15."
"These workers have put a lot into their jobs in bringing profits to these stores and making McDonald's the booming business it is, and they just feel they deserve more with the profit's that's being made," Wilson said.
McDonald's released a statement saying the majority of its restaurants in Chicago and across the country are "owned and operated by independent business men and women."
"Both our company and franchised-owned restaurants work hard every day to treat McDonald's employees with dignity and respect. Employees are paid competitive wages and have access to a range of benefits to meet their individual needs." -- McDonald's Statement
Officials with the Workers Organizing Committee of Chicago campaign estimate there's 275,000 men and women working in the city's fast food and retail outlets, many who are relying on public assistance for health care for their children and other expenses.
