McDonald's deemed as "joint employer" in US worker rights case

Washington

MCDONALD'S Corp wields enough control over its franchisees that it should be jointly responsible for the working conditions of their employees, according to charges by the US labour board critics say threatens to upend the fast- food industry.

The National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) general counsel, who acts as a prosecutor in filing complaints for labour-law violations, said that he would proceed with 13 cases involving 78 allegations against McDonald's and some affiliated store owners. The action is a win for unions seeking to get McDonald's, the world's largest restaurant chain, and other fast-food companies to negotiate on wages and benefits. A group for franchisees criticised the action and a Republican lawmaker vowed to introduce legislation to stop the labour board.