Minimum-Wage Activists See Opportunity in McDonald’s Decision

Minimum-wage activists seized on a decision against McDonald’s Corp. by the National Labor Relations Board’s general counsel yesterday, saying the move may make it easier to unionize workers and ultimately raise wages.

In cases involving restaurants allegedly violating the rights of McDonald’s workers, General Counsel Richard Griffin found that the parent company can be considered an employer, along with franchise owners. That means if the parties in the disputes can’t reach a settlement, McDonald’s would be held jointly responsible, the NLRB said yesterday in a statement.