U.S. labor agency files complaints against McDonald's

[danarhea]

(Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) and some of its franchisees were named jointly in complaints filed on Friday by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board's Office of the General Counsel, accusing them of labor violations in a widely anticipated move that could have wide-reaching implications for businesses.

In the past, McDonald's could say that intimidation of employees was not their fault, but the fault of individual franchises, even though the parent company does set the rules for how those franchises operate. Not any more. 78 charges of worker intimidation have now been filed, and the McDonald's corporate is on the hook for much of it.

In closing, let me post a song that my good friend Widgeon Holland wrote. It's about McDonald's and that damn clown. LOL.

Article is here.

 

[ocean515]

In the past, McDonald's could say that intimidation of employees was not their fault, but the fault of individual franchises, even though the parent company does set the rules for how those franchises operate. Not any more. 78 charges of worker intimidation have now been filed, and the McDonald's corporate is on the hook for much of it.

In closing, let me post a song that my good friend Widgeon Holland wrote. It's about McDonald's and that damn clown. LOL.

Article is here.

On the hook for most of it? Really? Could you cite the laws and regulations that make that statement true?

Do you think the union behind all this action they are commanding their cronies in the NRLB to pursue have given much consideration to the, quote, "chaos", their effort could have on franchise operations of all kind around the United States?

I doubt it. Jobs are not critical to those pretending to be protectors of them.

 

[OrphanSlug]

This will not end well, it is going to be a real stretch to find McDonalds guilty of much here.

 

[soot]

In the past, McDonald's could say that intimidation of employees was not their fault, but the fault of individual franchises, even though the parent company does set the rules for how those franchises operate. Not any more.

You read the article you posted, no?

...Friday's move was the first step in a long process...

The complaints will be considered by administrative law judges. If those judges don't rule in a way that is favorable to both parties, one or the other can appeal to the NLRB. If the NLRB doesn't rule in a way that is favorable to both parties, one or the other can appeal to the federal courts system. It would probably being in one of the District Courts, then move up to the Federal Court of Appeals, and then possibly to the SCOTUS.

So the, "Not any more", claim is nothing if not premature.

 

[ttwtt78640]

This seems to set a dangerous precedent, if it is ever actually established. If my franchise sells Ford's vehicles then why should Ford Motor Company be held responsible for my dealership's "unfair" labor practices?

 

[ludin]

On the hook for most of it? Really? Could you cite the laws and regulations that make that statement true?

Do you think the union behind all this action they are commanding their cronies in the NRLB to pursue have given much consideration to the, quote, "chaos", their effort could have on franchise operations of all kind around the United States?

I doubt it. Jobs are not critical to those pretending to be protectors of them.

The problem exists in why it is hard to unionize mcdonalds is that 80% of the mcdonalds out there are own by franchise people.
they are not technically corporate owned.

so there is a degree of separation between the franchisee and the franchiser. unions and others are trying to get rid of that degree of separation so that they can enforce a union on all mcdonalds. instead of having to try an unionize each individual franchiser which is what they would have to do now.

 

[Helix]

i enjoy McDonalds, but it is a ****ty place to work. better than Walmart, but my friends who worked at the local one were treated in a shady way; like doing cleaning before clocking in and after clocking out. i think that the store got in trouble for it, though, so hopefully, they've cut that **** out.

 

[ocean515]

The problem exists in why it is hard to unionize mcdonalds is that 80% of the mcdonalds out there are own by franchise people.
they are not technically corporate owned.

so there is a degree of separation between the franchisee and the franchiser. unions and others are trying to get rid of that degree of separation so that they can enforce a union on all mcdonalds. instead of having to try an unionize each individual franchiser which is what they would have to do now.

This is true. The efforts of the Union are well known. It's not about jobs, it's about dues. Whether their actions destroys Franchisor/Franchisee relationships and responsibilities has not importance to them.

Imagine all the little Mom and Pops out in the country. The Ace Hardware stores, or any number of the thousands of franchised stores who support families and communities across the nation. These small business owners would suddenly find themselves grouped as one responsible entity, controlled down to labor issues throughout the brand.

 

[ttwtt78640]

The problem exists in why it is hard to unionize mcdonalds is that 80% of the mcdonalds out there are own by franchise people.
they are not technically corporate owned.

so there is a degree of separation between the franchisee and the franchiser. unions and others are trying to get rid of that degree of separation so that they can enforce a union on all mcdonalds. instead of having to try an unionize each individual franchiser which is what they would have to do now.

It could be a far simpler motive; the ability to sue the one party with the deepest pockets for the actions of another. If one can hold McCorporate responsible for labor law violations of any franchise then a class action lawsuit can result in a much larger class/settlement size.

 

[ludin]

It could be a far simpler motive; the ability to sue the one party with the deepest pockets for the actions of another. If one can hold McCorporate responsible for labor law violations of any franchise then a class action lawsuit can result in a much larger class/settlement size.

I think it works hand in hand. of course this is ludicrous and only an idiot would see that a franchisee/franchiser is the same entity.
however given how badly skewed the NLB is right now it won't surprise me if they rule against mcdonald's.