“A recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board claims that McDonald’s had the ability to control employment decisions at franchised restaurants. For fast-food workers fighting for better wages, this is positive news. The NLRB’s general counsel said last week that the company is considered a joint employer that exerts ‘substantial power’ over the working conditions of its employees. The general counsel also found that McDonald’s holds such extensive influence over the business operations of its franchisees that individual operators have little autonomy when it comes to setting or controlling workplace conditions. In other words, McDonald’s is the employer.”
http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2014/aug/07/nlrb-mcdonalds-you-are-responsible-your-franchisee/