By Scott Dobroski

IMMOKALEE: A fight for fair labor practices is heating up in Collier County. It involves a popular fast food chain, the people who pick some of your favorite foods and wages that haven't changed in nearly three decades.

Friday afternoon, ABC7 got a glimpse into the life of Immokalee farm workers working long hours in tomato fields in northeastern Collier County.

They say the job is rough, unforgiving - and sometimes abusive.

Gerardo Reyes is one of those tomato pickers hoping to change things.

"As workers, we think its enough of so much abuse, and it's time to reform this industry," Reyes said through an interpreter.

One of the first changes is to try to get Burger King to join other fast-food chains like McDonald's and boost the pay for the workers who pick their tomatoes.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont specializes in fair labor practices.

"This is unacceptable; obviously this has got to be dealt with immediately," said Sanders. "They should be ashamed of themselves."

He came to Southwest Florida to put the pressure on the Home of the Whopper.

"The workers here need a substantial increase in pay," said Sanders.

The Coalition of Immokalee Farm Workers is asking Burger King to pay one extra penny per pound of tomatoes picked. That would be enough to nearly double a worker's annual salary which now, is about $10,000.

"What we're asking for isn't only necessary, it's possible," said Reyes.

So far, Burger King has been reluctant, but says: "We are hopeful we can reach a compromise on ways to help the workers in Immokalee. We are eager to sit down with them. Our door is open to the workers and visiting members of Congress."

If Burger King still does not work with the farm workers, Senator Sanders says he's going to demand special congressional hearings in Washington.