The Truth About McDonald’s Wage Practices in New York

As one of the most recognizable brands in the world, it’s no secret that McDonald’s is a giant in the food industry. But what does the company really pay its employees in New York, a city with one of the highest costs of living in the United States? The answer isn’t as simple as one might think. In this article, we’ll uncover the truth behind McDonald’s wage practices and explore what they mean for employees in the Big Apple.

Official Wages

First, let’s take a look at what McDonald’s officially claims to pay its employees. According to the company’s website, their hourly wages range from around $9 to $15 depending on the position and experience. However, this number can be misleading. The $15 wage is for experienced employees who work in restaurants with a higher cost of living. The new starting wage is more in the range of $11 to $13 depending on location.

While these numbers may seem decent at first glance, they’re a far cry from what many New Yorkers need to cover basic expenses. According to a recent study by MIT, a living wage in the New York City area is over $15 an hour. In other words, even McDonald’s best-case scenario wage falls short of what’s needed for employees to afford basic necessities like housing and food.

Wage Theft

But McDonald’s wage practices go beyond the official numbers. According to a 2018 report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), nearly 90% of fast food workers in New York City experience wage theft. This can take a variety of forms, from not receiving overtime pay to working off the clock. The report found that McDonald’s was the second-worst offender among major fast food chains, with about half of surveyed workers reporting some form of wage theft.

And the wage theft issue isn’t limited to a few bad apples. In 2016, McDonald’s made headlines when it settled a lawsuit with workers in California for a whopping $3.75 million. The workers claimed that they were denied overtime pay and forced to work off the clock.

Part-Time Positions

Another issue that affects McDonald’s workers in New York is the company’s reliance on part-time employees. According to the NELP report, over half of fast food workers in New York City are part-time. This means that they work less than 35 hours a week and don’t receive benefits like healthcare or paid time off. For many, this means that they have to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

The Fight for Fair Wages

So, what does all this mean for McDonald’s employees in New York? For starters, it means that the official numbers on the company’s website don’t tell the whole story. Even the best-case scenario wage falls short of what many workers need to cover basic expenses in one of the most expensive cities in the US. Additionally, workers are vulnerable to wage theft, and many are stuck in part-time positions that don’t offer benefits or stability.

But the story doesn’t end there. Despite these challenges, McDonald’s workers in New York and across the country are fighting back. In recent years, there has been a wave of protests and strikes by fast food workers demanding higher wages and better working conditions. In 2015, the Fight for $15 movement was born, calling for a $15 minimum wage and union rights for all fast food workers.

And the movement has had an impact. In recent years, several cities and states have increased their minimum wage. In 2018, New York City passed a law raising its minimum wage for businesses with 11 or more employees to $15 an hour. While this isn’t a magic solution, it’s a step in the right direction.

Furthermore, McDonald’s has recently taken some steps to address the wage theft issue. In 2019, the company settled a lawsuit with workers in California for $26 million. The workers claimed that they were denied meal and rest breaks and had time deducted from their paychecks. The settlement shows that workers can hold the company accountable for wage theft practices and could help to deter future violations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the truth about what McDonald’s pays its employees in New York is more complicated than the official numbers suggest. Even the best-case scenario wage falls short of what’s needed to afford basic necessities in one of the most expensive cities in the US. In addition, wage theft and the reliance on part-time positions add to workers’ challenges.

However, workers and advocates are fighting back. The Fight for $15 movement and recent increases in the minimum wage show that progress is possible. And the recent settlement with workers in California demonstrates that companies can be held accountable for wage theft practices. While there is still a long way to go, the movement for fair wages and working conditions is gaining momentum.