The Fair Work Commission has rejected an attempt by McDonald’s to bring our applications to expand bargaining to McDonald’s across the country to a halt.
In July 2025, we won a major case in the Fair Work Commission to force McDonald’s franchises in South Australia to bargain with the SDA and give workers a say on their entitlements at work for the first time in 5 years.
Following the success of our application, the SDA has lodged applications in every other state and territory, seeking to give all workers at McDonald’s franchises the right to bargain.
Why we’re seeking to negotiate Enterprise Agreements
Right now, McDonald’s workers receive the minimum pay and entitlements that can be provided to fast food workers.
It doesn’t make sense that workers at the world’s most profitable fast-food chain are only paid the bare minimum.
We’re seeking to negotiate an Enterprise Agreement to lift McDonald’s workers pay and conditions above the industry minimums.
But McDonald’s has tried to put a stop to this.
McDonald’s is appealing the decision by the Fair Work Commission to force South Australian franchises to bargain – and tried to put a stop to our other applications to start bargaining across the country.
In November 2025, the Fair Work Commission rejected McDonald’s application to halt bargaining while their appeal is ongoing.
Delaying these applications would deny thousands of workers access to bargaining and the opportunity to have a say on their pay and conditions at work.
This decision brings us one step closer to giving all McDonald’s workers a say on their pay and conditions at work.
Bargaining is now underway at McDonald’s franchises in South Australia.
We had our first meeting with McDonald’s franchisees in October and outlined what our priorities are for the agreement.
Over the past few months, we have been speaking with hundreds of McDonald’s workers to hear about what they’d like to see improved or changed at McDonald’s.
We’ve put together an ambitious agenda to improve pay and conditions for all McDonald’s workers that have been put together based on their feedback.
Our key priorities include:
- Higher rates of pay
- A better classification and pay structure
- Improved rostering rights
- Higher junior rates of pay
- 15 minute tea breaks
- Stronger protections for school-aged workers