More than 430 fast-food workers employed at Wendy’s, McDonald’s,  and Burger King were arrested on September 3rd around the United States for blocking streets while protesting the $7.25 federal minimum wage.

Because of other states such as Washington and Oregon  raising their minimum wages above $9 ($9.32 and $9.10, respectively), minimum wage workers have begun to protest the 2007 $7.25 wage.

The main issue with the minimum wage is that – according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics – 75.3 million workers in the US make the minimum wage, which makes up 59.0% of the entire workforce. The ethical issue is that these workers (based on a 40-hour work week) have an average salary of $15,000 / year.  The accepted 2014 poverty line for a household containing two people is $15,730.

So what should our friends in the executive office at McDonald’s do?

Well, since many workers at their restaurants are trying to support themselves and their families, it seems like the ethical decision to raise the minimum wage.  And they should.  But should they raise it directly to $15 dollars, and risk the franchisees investments by doubling their fixed salary costs?

Should McDonald’s be in charge of raising the wage, or should our governments control the wage and how it should be implemented?

Read the full article at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/04/fast-food-restaurants-strike-mcdonalds-wendys-burger-king-taco-bell/15058943/