The protests in cities where many of the original charges against McDonald’s for illegally firing, harassing and intimidating workers were filed comes days after the Board vacated its decision in the Hy-Brand case because one of its members had a significant conflict of interest. NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb had cited the Hy-Brand decision earlier this year as a reason for entering into talks with McDonald’s to settle the case.
“The federal government filed suit against McDonald’s for one reason: because the company broke the law and attacked hard-working cooks and cashiers who are forced to rely on public assistance and are joining together just to be able to survive,” said Adriana Alvarez, a cashier at a Chicago-area McDonald’s. “The only thing that’s changed is the fact that a Trump-appointee is now in charge and wants to settle the case under pressure from the world’s second largest employer.”
Instead of walking away from a case NLRB lawyers have spent several years prosecuting, workers Friday urged the general counsel to allow the judge to rule on the issues at stake. The protests follow a letter sent to Mr. Robb by fast-food workers’ attorneys earlier this week calling on him to suspend the settlement talks.