DURHAM – Fast food workers here in the Triangle joined thousands across the state to protest for higher wages Thursday as part of a nationwide 100-city strike.

The workers are seeking $15 an hour and the right to form a union without interference from their employers such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Wendy’s.

There were at least two rallies in Durham, according to Kevin Rogers of Action NC, the advocacy group that helped organize strikes in North Carolina.

Rogers said he attended a protest in Raleigh on the 6300 block of Capital Boulevard Thursday morning.

“These folks are just really tired of working on their feet 40 to 60 hours a week, and having almost nothing to show for it at the end of the week,” Rogers said. “They aren’t able to pay their rent and support their families. They really need to see the minimum wage come up where they can support themselves and their families.”

Rogers said he expects the strikes to continue into the New Year.

“We had sixty-five back in July when we did this [held protests]. We were at more than a hundred cities Thursday. The response [has been great] not only from fast food workers but from regular folks who really understand what it is like to get by on such a little amount of money,” Rogers said. “There is a lot of solidarity there.”

Workers in Charlotte, Greensboro and several other North Carolina cities also held strikes.