After almost two years of investigation and Federal Court actions, a former McDonald’s franchisee has admitted to breaking the law and forcing workers to cancel their union membership.
In 2021, on behalf of 22 workers, the SDA lodged an adverse action claim against former McDonald’s Franchise – Delbridge Investments alleging that the Franchise:
- Forced workers to resign their union membership
- Persuaded potential members to not join the SDA
- Falsely told workers they could not be promoted to manager if they were an SDA members
- Coerced and intimidated workers into changing to casual employment and threatened to cut workers hours unlawfully
What occurred at McDonald’s Murray Bridge over five years was horrific and unlawful.
It was a blatant breach of their workplace rights and a serious abuse of power by managers and the franchisee.
For many years, these workers were lied to about their rights at work, intimidated and left without the support of the unions.
Some of the impacted workers were as young as 15. To think that managers were being directed to lie to and intimidate vulnerable teenagers is sickening.
Through this, the SDA has won workers compensation for these breaches and harm it caused during their employment. It was only possible because SDA members stood up and called this behaviour out.
This isn’t limited to just McDonald’s Murray Bridge.
The SDA has conducted an investigation into a range of workplace breaches at over 1000 McDonald’s sites.
Our investigation has found that 12% of workers have witnessed or experienced union-busting tactics in their workplace.
This decision sends a clear message to all employers: union-busting tactics and attempts to diminish workers’ rights will not be tolerated and will be found out.