Boston fast-food workers are preparing to walk off the job Thursday to protest low wages and poor health benefits, according to multiple reports.

Organizers of the event say similar walkouts are planned in dozens of cities Thursdays. Workers at popular chains such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Wendy’s are attempting to push for higher pay.

Currently, the average pay rate for fast-fooder workers is $9 an hour. Massachusetts legislators are considering a bill that would raise the hourly minimum wage from $8 to $11 by 2015.

 According to a report by NECN.com, the worker’s are seeking a $15-an-hour “living wage.”

The Boston Globe reports that over 3.5 million people work at more than 200,000 fast-food chains across the country. 

Groups such as the Massachusetts Restaurant Association do not plan on getting involved with what they believe is a publicity stunt backed by millions in funding from the Service Employees International Union, among others.

Thursday’s protests are expected to be the largest ever by fast-food workers, organizers say. The walkouts planned for Thursday follows a series of strikes in New York last November.

Photo via Boston.com