Fast-food protest organizers plan global actions

Labor organizers say protesters will turn out in the. U.S. and more than 30 other countries on Thursday in support of higher pay for workers at fast-food chains including McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell.

The 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. The businesses say such a wage would hurt their ability to create jobs.

The campaign comes as President Barack Obama works to raise the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which translates to about $15,000 a year for a full-time job.

The protests have captured media attention at a time when the gap between the rich and poor has widened. Protest turnouts have varied widely, however.