Protests are planned at fast food restaurants here and around the country on Thursday, with workers calling for an hourly wage of 15-dollars and unionization.
The demonstrations receive the backing of the Service Employee International Union.
Bruce Popper is vice president for 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
He argues the problem in this country isn't a lack of jobs, the problem is low paying jobs that don't pay for a decent standard of living.
The group planning the local protests is Metro Justice.
Organizing Director Colin O'Malley says there's no reason those workers couldn't earn a living wage and help bring the city of Rochester out of poverty.
Fast-food chains and many franchise operators have reportedly said that 15 dollars an hour was unrealistic and would wipe out profit margins at many restaurants.
O'Malley says he's spoken to workers who say their restaurant broke 10-thousand dollars in a four-hour meal period.
The National Restaurant Association has called the protests attempts by labor groups ``to boost their dwindling membership.''