McDonald's trial gives peek at chain's inner workings

NEW YORK (AP) — A pivotal trial against McDonald's that began this week is providing a peek into the inner workings of the maker of the Big Mac.

The trial centers over whether McDonald's exerts control over hiring and pay decisions for employees at restaurants run by its U.S. franchises.

[...] it could open a path to unionization for workers by giving labor groups a centralized target in McDonald's Corp., rather than a patchwork of more than 3,000 franchisees.

The trial stems from cases filed around the country on behalf of workers who said they were subject to retaliation or other unfair labor practices for taking part in protests and strikes as part of their campaign for an hourly wage of $15, as well as for union representation.

The push is being backed by the Service Employees International Union, and has made low wages a hot political issue.

[...] programs are intended to tell managers the optimal number of people they should have working based on sales.

Lawyers for franchisees said their clients determine pay for their workers, and one cited an example of a franchisee creating his own wage rates and personnel forms.