NLRB: Big Firms Jointly Liable For Worker Rights at Franchise-Holders

In a decision that could aid nearly three million workers nationwide, the National Labor Relations Board ruled on August 28 that big franchising firms, such as McDonald’s, are jointly liable with their local franchise-holders and subcontractors for worker rights and for obeying labor law. The 3-2 party-line vote in the Browning-Ferris Industries case, modernizing the agency’s joint employers rule, is also a win for unions seeking to organize workers at local franchises. Unions hailed the ruling, while the radical right – led by House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline, R-Minn. – denounced it...click below to read more.
- Mark Gruenberg, PAI Staff Writer

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Franchise firms across a wide range of industries have already created a coalition that has started to lobby and wine and dine lawmakers to get the GOP-run Congress to nullify the NLRB’s decision. "This decision may very well signal the beginning of the end of outdated laws that fail to address an economic structure tilted against working people," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Teamsters President Jim Hoffa added that “Employers will no longer be able to shift responsibility for their workers and hide behind loopholes to prevent workers from organizing or engaging in collective bargaining. This is a victory for workers across America.”