McDonald's CEO Don Thompson sees nothing wrong with how much company workers are paid.
According to The Washington Post, Thompson addressed over 2,000 protesters who congregated outside the company's Oak Brook, Ill., headquarters on Thursday to fight for individual union formation and $15 wages. Demonstrators assembled prior to the company's annual shareholder meeting in which investors and corporate executives met to discuss worker pay, marketing, and children.
"We believe we pay fair and competitive wages," Thompson told the protesters.
Thompson also said the company does not gear its marketing towards children, dispelling previous rumors.
"We are people. We do have values at McDonald's. We are parents," Thompson said.
2,000 protestors, 325 of whom wore McDonald's restaurant uniforms, swarmed the company's headquarters, prompting the arrival of Oak Brook police officers, who tried to ease traffic jams and solve other issues that stemmed from the demonstrations, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
"We've adjusted work schedules for our employees and access to our facilities to assist the Oak Brook Police Department and address the protests and the related traffic congestion," McDonald's spokeswoman Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem said.
140 workers, 500 employees from other fast food companies, 50 clergy members, and several community activists also crowded the property, forcing the burger chain to request workers stay home to avoid protest-related issues, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.
National and international fast food employees previously held protests to fight for pay higher than their current $7.25 an hour, which amounts to $15,000 a year.
One Kansas City, Mo., worker said she believes executives don't deserve higher pay than employees who keep company restaurant locations functioning.
"They're making billions ... but we sweep their floors, take out their trash and service their customers," Melinda Tope said. "We don't deserve to live in poverty and to worry about our lights being cut off."
McDonald's CEO Don Thompson reportedly earned $9.5 million in 2013.
