Parent Company of McDonald's Dragged Into Labor Board's Retaliation Case
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In a move that could have a ripple effect on low-wage workers nationwide, the National Labor Relations Board has named McDonald's, the fast-food franchiser, as a defendant in a case involving complaints against a number of franchisee restaurants, including several in Philadelphia.
McDonald's workers in Philadelphia and across the country claim that franchisees fired or retaliated in other ways against them for striking to increase their wages above $8 an hour.
The NLRB move to add the corporate entity to the case means fast-food parent companies that control food quality may have to address worker conditions.
"The general thing to look at is, what is McDonald's corporate asking franchisees to do?" notes Tsedeye Gebreselassie, an attorney with the National Employment Law Project. She says if the NLRB proves violations, it could change the entire fast-food industry.
Parent companies have strict rules regarding food quality and more, she explains, and now it will mean they have to deal with worker conditions as well.
"The fast-food industry is employing millions of workers in this country, and any change in working conditions that affects a broad swath of these workers will have a tremendous effect," Gebreselassie tells KYW Newsradio.
She says the next step is an administrative hearing.
McDonald's says it will appeal.
