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Giant fast-food chains like Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and McDonald's have seen countless lawsuits over the years—for things like under-filling lattes, leaving hazards in parking lots, and a lack of napkins. But the latest class-action suit against the Golden Arches could seriously change conditions and pay for fast-food workers everywhere.
According to a ruling from a California district judge, the burger company—which has long pushed blame on its franchisees for not raising wages—will now be liable for its unfair working conditions and lack of benefits for employees, the New York Times reports.
The suit, which was originally filed in 2014, states that more than 500 employees were purposely underpaid at five McDonald's locations owned by one franchisee in California. And claims against the company include unpaid overtime, false recording of timecards to reduce pay, failure to pay minimum wage, and failure to pay wages owed to employees who quit or were fired.
Most recently the suit was granted federal class-action status. This means that the judge does not believe that McDonald's as a corporation does not bear the responsibility of employee pay and working conditions, as it has argued for years. It's also the first time that a judge has allowed McDonald's employees to come together and go after the corporation rather than an individual franchisee.
As the Times points outs, "Isn't corporate control what makes Big Macs taste the same at all those different locations? It is hard to believe that the corporation does not exert similar control over pay." Shots fired.
Depending on the final outcome of the suit, it could set a precedent not only for future McDonald's employees but all fast-food workers over all—since it corporations might then be held fully accountable for the actions of its franchisees.
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