McDonald's USA President, Don Thompson

I read an interesting article in Crain’s Chicago Business yesterday that talked about how McDonald’s USA is urging their franchise owner-operators to call their representatives to oppose the so called “Employee Free Choice Act” currently being considered in Congress.

McDonald’s USA President Don Thompson (photo left) warns the owner-operators of the “gravity of the issue” and how this legislation would negatively impact their industry.

So, what’s this all about anyway? It sounds like McDonald’s is fighting against a good thing – right? I mean, even president-elect Obama supports this bill. Hold on… not so fast!

Under current law, even McDonald’s employees have the right to organize unions. There is nothing stopping them from doing so. What this law changes is the way the vote is taken. Currently it must be a secret ballot. Under the new law it would be a “card-check” system where each person voting would have to sign their name along with their vote. This of course opens the employee up to fear of pressure and consequences for their vote. McDonald’s employs many younger people who would be especially susceptible to big union coercion.

The United States has long viewed voting as a private matter, and a history of using the relative safety and security of the secret ballot. This new law seeks to circumvent this foundational principle and historical practice.

I agree with McDonald’s USA on this one… we must protect and keep the principle and practice of the secret ballot alive and well in the USA.