McDonald's and unions

McDonald's is a multinational fast food corporation, founded in the United States in 1940. It is one of the world's largest restaurant chains, serving over 69 million customers daily in over 100 countries across approximately 36,900 outlets as of 2016. McDonald's primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, wraps, and desserts.

McDonald's and Unions

The relationship between McDonald's and labor unions has been a contentious one, marked by numerous disputes and legal battles. McDonald's has often been accused of union busting and violating workers' rights, leading to protests and strikes in various countries.

Unionization Efforts

Unionization efforts at McDonald's have been ongoing for several years. Workers have sought to unionize in order to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. These efforts have often been met with resistance from the company, leading to accusations of union busting.

In 2014, McDonald's workers in several U.S. cities went on strike as part of the Fight for $15 movement, demanding a minimum wage of $15 per hour and the right to form a union. The strikes were organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Legal Battles

McDonald's has faced numerous legal battles related to its treatment of workers and its response to unionization efforts. In 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the U.S. ruled that McDonald's could be held jointly liable for labor violations committed by its franchisees, a decision that could have significant implications for the fast food industry.

In 2020, McDonald's was sued by the SEIU for alleged union busting. The lawsuit claimed that McDonald's had illegally fired, threatened, or otherwise penalized workers for their pro-union activities.

See Also

• Fast food worker strikes
• Labor rights in the United States
• List of strikes