A former Murray Bridge McDonald’s Franchisee has admitted leading an “unlawful” anti-union bullying campaign.
Delbridge Investments, which ran the store and three other South Australian stores until the SDA launched legal action in 2021, settled the case ahead of an expected 10-day hearing where more than 20 employees would have taken the stand.
After admitting in court to inducing members to resign from the union and pressuring permanent staff to become casual employees, the former Franchisee has been ordered to pay $275,000 in fines and legal costs for contravening the Fair Work Act.
Workers have told the Federal Court their permanent hours were being threatened with unlawful cuts if they did not agree.
The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) says the landmark settlement is just the “tip of the iceberg” for McDonald’s and it is preparing further legal action across the country, while a spokesperson for McDonald’s Australia has told the Advertiser that no allegations were made against the fast food giant itself and that the corporation does not accept or condone ‘anti-union’ conduct.
File photo of McDonalds signs, by Dids pexels.com
