McDonald’s Uses 1868 Anti-Slavery Law to Avoid Paying Employees
It appears that 2015 is not going to be kind for McDonald’s. Consumers are rushing towards the exits away from GMO filled menus and shocking ingredients to reclaim their health. As Stock prices fall, consumers reject the fast food giant, and internal management scurries to find an answer, the bad press continues to pummel Ronald and his unhappy crew.
The people of Seattle voted in favor of a $15 minimum wage last summer. In response, The International Franchise Association (IFA), which McDonald’s is a part of, is suing the city of Seattle by citing a law used to end slavery as the basis for their lawsuit.
McDonald’s is being hit with criticism for using a landmark anti-slavery law from 1868 to argue the newly passed Seattle minimum wage hike is violating the “equal protection under the law” under the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. This Amendment was named one of three “Reconstruction Amendments” leading the effort to abolish slavery in 1868.
McDonald’s has been at the center of many employee protests over the years demanding fair, living wages. Yet it seems that even when the citizens use proper channels through the voting process, the corporation still has the upper hand.
This legal action is similar to the headline making lawsuit against the state of Vermont last year in which Monsanto and Starbucks sought to block GMO labeling laws through The Grocery Manufacturers Alliance (GMA). Much like the GMA, the IFA is McDonald’s front used to deflect criticism and avoid responsibility for their actions. It is important to note that the GMA vs. Vermont lawsuit kicked off a successful, highly publicized Starbucks boycott by Neil Young.
Through their menu, low pay, and legal actions against The People’s will, McDonald’s’ clear message to the United States is one lacking empathy towards the health and well-being of the common public.
“You know what it means when they pay you minimum wage? You know what they’re trying to tell you? ‘Hey, if I could pay you less I would, but it’s against the law.’” – Chris Rock
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If I were a McDonald’s stock holder, franchise owner or employee, I would seek opportunities with company’s which offer Certified Organic foods. All fast food corporations like McDonald’s have a history of obscuring the negative effects of their foods on their customers in the name of corporate profits. This trend of boycotting these highly fraudulent corporations will only continue to rise, as more and more people awaken with illness and disease, that can only be resolved with detox and organic foods.
Yeah the mcdonalds of the 60’s and 70’s were probably pretty healthy compared to today w/ all the chemical company’s having bought out all the farms and becoming behemouth corps owning most of the food supply, isn’t that a cozy little nest of vipers! Oh yes they are poisoning as many as possible!!!! its super irritating and is beyond the point of anger!!!!!! I think the pendulum is starting to swing the other way but i fear the damage may be to great to ever have truly chemical free food.
The momentum against white flour and toward organics is here to stay. They will either get with the program or slowly go broke.
well, no. Without a drastic reduction in the human population, organic farming cannot sustain life. It works for the elite, but the humans cannot be fed 100% organic food because it is a less efficient process. Healthier in some circumstances, sure, but given a choice between starvation and white flour, I think white flour wins.
I’m sure there are still a lot people, and businesses that would love to employ slave labor if it wasn’t for those pesky laws, and uppity citizens thinking they’re free. We know the government already thinks of us as slaves, and shows us the love through their income tax.
Okay, I understand that everyone who needs a job needs a job! But let’s think about this, “don’t work at McDonald’s” and just maybe McDonald’s will start paying top dollar for you to work there.
That will never happen. Why? Because of .gov regulations that stifle other businesses from even starting. McD’s has a quasi monopoly because they are so big and can influence laws and regs…plus, their are so many people who need to work can can’t find work, again due to .gov laws and regs that favor mega corps, that they MUST work somewhere. The labor front is supply and demand…and right now, the supply is great (and going to be greater with influx of more undocumented..aka illegal..aliens). Cheers.
This article suggests that “equal protection under the law” is an antiquated concept, and subtly suggests employing it is racist. If you don’t support equal protection under the law, I pity what happens to you if it goes away.