McDonald’s announced it will no longer lobby against raising workers’ pay.
In a letter, the company told the National Restaurant Association (NRA) that it will no longer participate in lobby efforts against minimum-wage hikes at the federal, state or local level.
In the letter, McDonald’s said that the average starting wage at its corporate-owned stores is already above $10 per hour, but she noted that McDonald’s doesn’t set wages at franchises.
Gent said that McDonald’s thinks increases should be “phased in.”
Several states have already committed to increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour within the next few years. McDonald’s is among companies that are raising pay to get ahead of regulations and hire and retain employees.
“The conversation about wages is an important one,” said Gent. “It’s one we wish to advance, not impede.”