 A protracted South Florida labor dispute between the Coalition of Immokalee Workers ( CIW ) and growers of tomatoes in the region expanded to include Burger King and other major fast food companies , including McDonald 's and Yum ! Brands . In 2001 , the CIW sought a pay raise for tomato pickers in the region and , starting with its Boot the Bell campaign aimed at Yum ! subsidiary Taco Bell , began to target the chains with protests , letter writing campaigns , and petitions demanding that the companies purchase tomatoes only from suppliers who agree to the pay increase . The campaign , which eventually attracted the support of religious groups , labor organizations , student groups and anti @-@ slavery activists , became known as the Campaign for Fair Food with a stated goal to increase the wages of the pickers by 1 ¢ per pound picked above the 45 ¢ paid per bucket at the time , or about 77 ¢ for each 32 @-@ pound ( 14 @.@ 5 kg ) bucket in 2005 US dollars . In 2005 , McDonald 's Corporation and Yum ! signed agreements acquiescing to the group 's purchasing demands , although implementation was put on hold due to threats by the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange to fine its members $ 100 @,@ 000 if they complied ; however , Burger King corporate parent Burger King Brands declined to enter into a similar agreement with the group . 
