It\u2019s been a turbulent stretch for McDonald\u2019s, with public health scandals, policy reversals \u2014 and now, a boycott.<\/p>\n
Last fall, the fast-food giant landed in hot water after a deadly E. coli outbreak was traced back to fresh, slivered onions served on its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. As a result, McDonald\u2019s suffered from significant declines in sales and customer visits, forcing the company to do damage control by launching a new Chicken Big Mac, providing more than $60 million to franchisees in affected states and spending an additional $35 million on marketing to promote deals such as its $5 value meal.<\/p>\n
Then, in January, McDonald\u2019s made the decision to scale back some of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, following in the footsteps of several corporations that rolled back their programs in the wake of Donald Trump\u2019s election. The company said it\u2019s retiring its specific diversity goals, including pausing external surveys that measure corporate diversity and requiring suppliers to commit to certain DEI pledges. McDonald\u2019s also changed the name of its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team.<\/p>\n
In the wake of its recent headlines, McDonald\u2019s has now become the target of an ongoing boycott initiated by The People\u2019s Union USA, a grassroots advocacy group. The union\u2019s founder, John Schwarz, explained in an Instagram post that the union is demanding \u201cfair taxes, an end to price gouging, real equality, and corporate accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boycott began on June 24 and is expected to continue until next Monday, June 30.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,\u201d The People\u2019s Union USA wrote on Instagram. \u201cWhen we unite and hit corporations in their wallets, they listen\u2026This is a show of strength, solidarity and people powered change. Let them feel it. Let them hear us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Schwarz provided a list of reasons for the boycott, saying McDonald\u2019s is guilty of \u201cexploiting tax loopholes,\u201d engaging in \u201cprice gouging while wages stay low,\u201d \u201csuppressing workers\u2019 rights and union efforts,\u201d \u201csupporting political figures who threaten democracy,\u201d \u201cpracticing performative DEI with no meaningful change\u201d and \u201cprioritizing profit over people, community and truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schwarz isn\u2019t alone in his criticisms of the fast-food chain. Last October, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Ron Wyden of Oregon slammed McDonald\u2019s for substantially hiking up menu prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarlier this year, McDonald\u2019s USA President Joe Erlinger tried to blame the company\u2019s menu price increases on inflationary pressures and input costs, but the data tells another story,\u201d read a letter written by the three senators and addressed to the company\u2019s corporate leadership. \u201cMcDonald\u2019s operating profit margins were 52% in the same year, the highest of the ten largest publicly traded fast food companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cCorporate profits must not come at the expense of people\u2019s ability to put food on the table,\u201d the letter added.<\/p>\n
In statements to NBC News, Casey further accused McDonald\u2019s of \u201ctextbook greedflation,\u201d and Warren said McDonald\u2019s is \u201csqueezing customers to make massive profits, paying out billions to wealthy shareholders, and then turning around and blaming inflation for high costs.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for whether the ongoing McDonald\u2019s boycott will have a significant impact remains unclear at this time. The People\u2019s Union USA previously called for boycotts of other major corporations, including Amazon, Nestl\u00e9, Walmart, General Mills and Target.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe truth is, McDonald\u2019s built a global empire off low-wage labor, clever accounting, and aggressive lobbying,\u201d Schwarz told Newsweek. \u201cThey report record profits, nearly $9 billion this year, while many of their workers still can\u2019t afford basic healthcare or rent. That\u2019s not opportunity. That\u2019s exploitation dressed up as service. This boycott isn\u2019t about fast food. It\u2019s about accountability. The People\u2019s Union USA stands for the growing number of Americans done tolerating corporate greed, inequality, and empty promises.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to the boycott, McDonald\u2019s told Newsweek, \u201cWe welcome honest dialogue with the communities we serve, but we\u2019re disappointed to see these misleading claims that distort our values and misrepresent our actions. Our focus remains on serving our customers and communities. We\u2019re here and ready to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n