McDonald's hit by lawsuits over worker pay

[unhappycamper]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/McDonald-s-hit-by-lawsuits-over-worker-pay-5314540.php



In this Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, photo, a McDonald's Big Mac sandwich is photogr at a McDonald's restaurant in Robinson Township, Pa., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Several lawsuits being filed against McDonald'ssay the fast-food chain engages in a variety of practices to avoid paying workers what they're owed.

McDonald's hit by lawsuits over worker pay
By CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer : March 13, 2014 : Updated: March 14, 2014 5:27am

NEW YORK (AP) — McDonald's workers in three states filed lawsuits against the fast-food chain this week, saying the company engages in a variety of illegal practices to avoid paying them what they're owed.

The suits in California, Michigan and New York come amid growing attention on the country's wealth disparities. While the type of violations outlined in the suits aren't specific to McDonald's, lawyers said they targeted the company because it's an industry leader.

Taken together, the suits seeking class action status could affect roughly 30,000 workers, lawyers said during a conference call arranged by organizers of the recent fast-food protests. They seek back pay and other damages.

The announcement of the suits came on the same day that President Obama directed the Labor Department to devise rules that would expand the number of workers eligible for overtime pay. The White House, Democratic lawmakers and labor organizers have also been pushing to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, which translates to roughly $21,000 a year for full-time work. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, or $15,000 a year.

[DinahMoeHum]

1. McDonald's should also be sued by local franchisees.

Big Whopper Economics
Want fast-food workers to get a raise? Let local restaurant owners form a union to fight their corporate masters.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_may_2014/features/big_whopper_economics049290.php