Pickets and demonstrations, led by workers from major fast food chains and home care workers, were reported in major cities across the US. The strike comes at a time when Democrats are trying to hike the federal minimum wage that has remained unchanged since 2009.

Fiat Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are among the large car manufacturers that have announced a halt in production after workers threatened strikes and in some cases, began action

The Raise the Wage Act that mandates the gradual hike in minimum wage to $15 an hour was approved by the US House of Representatives but will face a tough challenge in the Senate and president Donald Trump

The movement spans over 300 cities across the world. It is no longer limited to exploited employees in the fast food industry but has expanded to include home health aides, child care teachers, airport workers, adjunct professors and even retail employees.

The McStrike by McDonald’s workers on October 4 saw employees of firms such as TGI Fridays, Wetherspoon, UberEats and Deliveroo joining in, with the demands including a minimum wage of £10 per hour, recognition of unions and an end to ‘zero hour’ contracts