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More than 100 demonstrators seeking better pay for McDonald's workers were arrested on Wednesday as protesters swarmed the fast-food chain's corporate campus near Chicago demanding a minimum wage of $15 an hour and the right to unionize.

The protest against McDonald's Corp, the world's biggest restaurant operator by revenue, came a day before a shareholder vote on executive pay, including that of Chief Executive Don Thompson, who earned total compensation of $9.5 million in 2013.

Rallies by low-wage restaurant and retail workers have helped fuel a national debate on pay inequality at a time when manymiddle- to low-income US citizens are struggling to make ends meet.

Jessica Davis, a 25-year-old McDonald's crew trainer with two children, said Thompson was earning his millions on thebacks of working mothers and fathers.

"We need to show McDonald's that we're serious and that we're not backing down," said Davis, who earns $8.98 per hour at aChicago McDonald's.

She said she wasn't worried about being arrested.

"I'm worried about not being able to pay my bills."

McDonald's, which is grappling with sagging US sales and higher beef prices, does not disclose average pay for restaurant workers, most of whom work for franchisees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 3.5 million fast-food and counter workers in the United States earn a median hourly wage of $8.83.

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