McDonald's Won't Oppose Minimum Wage Increase

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.

“Going forward, McDonald’s Corporation will not use our resources, including lobbyists or staff, to oppose minimum wage increases at the federal, state or local levels,” said Genna Gent, vice president of U.S. government relations for the company. “Nor will we participate in the association advocacy efforts designed expressly to defeat wage increases.”

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.”

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