The McDonald's Case: Matching Labor Law to Workplace Reality | Commentary

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.rollcall.com/news/the_mcdonalds_case_matching_labor_law_to_workplace_reality_commentary-235541-1.html#disqus_thread


By Mary Vogel
Aug. 6, 2014, 5 a.m.

McDonald’s is now responsible for labor law violations committed in its restaurants — even if the store is owned by a franchisee.

That’s the essence of a finding this week by the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, which stems from strikes by fast food workers for higher wages, and allegations of firings and other illegal retaliation. If the finding is upheld, it will be a major victory for millions of workers in restaurants and other franchised businesses. Workers could hold accountable the multibillion-dollar companies that use pricing, leasing, scheduling and other non-negotiable rules to effectively control the employment practices of their franchisees.

Business groups are crying foul. In a Roll Call opinion column, National Restaurant Association president Dawn Sweeney said the NLRB finding “defies precedent and common sense” and predicts “dire consequences to franchisees, franchise employees and the economy as a whole.”

Actually, the NLRB’s top attorney is simply recognizing current economic reality. U.S. workplaces are changing, and it’s important that labor law change along with them. The idea of a lifelong career at a single employer, with stable wages and working conditions, is about as relevant to the lives of most workers as a turntable is to a teenager.

FULL story at link.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Thank you, Omaha Steve, for all your pro-labor posts

We need to be reminded that unions are necessary to protect working people's rights.

[tech3149]

2. Agreed, these are posts I always read n/t

[Omaha Steve]

3. Kick