Karina McClain, a cashier at fast food chain Checkers in New York City, didn't show up for her shift on Thursday.

Instead, the 22 year-old joined about 100 other people outside of a Brooklyn Wendy's restaurant calling for an hourly wage increase to $15 an hour. She was holding a sign that read "Raise pay, live better."

"I have bills to pay and we don't get enough money," said McClain, who makes the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, and works 20 hours a week. Missing out on a day's pay would be hard for McClain, who can barely pay for diapers and clothes for her five-month old daughter Kamayah.
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McDonald's workers should have no problem qualifying for government programs like food stamps and heating assistance.

The hamburger chain pretty much admits that in a call made by a worker to "McResources"– a helpline set up for its workers.

The advocacy group Low Pay is not Ok recorded a phone call made to the helpline by one McDonald's worker Nancy Salgado. The group circulated an edited video of the recording. CNNMoney reviewed the full recording of the call.
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Bars around the world have stopped serving Russian vodka to protest the country's recently-enacted anti-gay laws.

The movement comes in the wake of several laws implemented by Russian president Vladimir Putin in recent months that ban same sex couples from adopting Russian-born children, allow police to arrest foreigners they suspect as being "pro gay," and outlaw "homosexual propaganda" as pornography.

In response, internationally syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage started a "Dump Russian Vodka" campaign, asking bartenders and booze enthusiasts to put the Russian stuff back on the shelf.

"Show the world that Russian persecution of gays is unacceptable," a campaign flier states. "Boycott Russian vodka until persecution of gays and their allies ends."

Bars from the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia have responded.

Read - Bars worldwide boycott Russian vodka over anti-gay laws

Who should get the tips you leave in that plexiglass box at Starbucks?

That's the question at the center of a dispute in front of New York state's highest court.

Lawyers for baristas, assistant store managers and Starbucks argued in front of the New York Court of Appeals this week to hash out what types of employees are eligible to participate in a tip-pooling arrangement.
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