Group wants fast food restaurant minimum wage set at $15/hour

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Fast food workers across the city and right here in Houston have walked off the job. They are demanding a minimum wage increase from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour.

Carrying signs and chanting in the wee hours of the morning, a sea of red flooded the sidewalk along Gulfton Street in downtown Houston. Shortly before 1pm, five protesters were arrested for blocking traffic, a Class B misdemeanor.

"I have a son that's two years old and I'm a single father that makes $7.25," said Jack-in-the-Box employee Carlton Warren.

Warren shares his message on the megaphone and on camera.

"I had to make a conscious decision," he said. "Should I feed him or should i feed me? I feel like no human on earth should have to make a conscious decision like that."

"We get no raise, 10 cents, 5 cents," said fast food employee Beatrice Saldana.

Saldana has five children. After 20 years in the fast food industry, she still makes $7.25.

"It's not easy work," she said "It's very hard."

"The owners of some fast food industries are making $125,000 a day," said former fast food employee Rev. Ronnie Lister.

This is part of a nationwide coalition, 'Fight for 15.' The movement is backed by the Employee International Union.

"There are single mothers with three kids," said Lister. "There are fathers trying to support their families."

As the gap widens between the rich and the poor, workers say they feel desperate, taking it to the streets. Many are living below the poverty line and qualify for government services.

They say it puts an undue burden on taxpayers who help support fast food chains that rake in billions.

Today's protest will last into the afternoon and 12pm, they will move to McDonald's at 6000 Richmond St.