Currently Federal law does not require lunch or rest breaks (According to http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm )
The civil war occurred in order to stop slavery; However, slavery expanded to all citizens. America is an Employer's market, and if we are not careful, you won't be able to negotiate with an employer to protect your rights. Assure that you are able to survive a single day by encouraging a min set of breaks for the day. If scheduled/worked 6.5 hours, an employer should be required to provide a min of 0.5 hr unpaid meal period. And for every scheduled/worked 3.5 hrs a min of paid 10 minute rest period should be provided somewhere within that 3.5 hour period depending on business needs. For the average 8 hr day = 2x10s & 1x30 or 10.5 hr day = 3x10 & 1x30. See CA law.