It s golden arches now span shop doorways in 45 countries. McDonald s work practices have something of a uniform character too. In Britain its workers are amongst the lowest paid. More than 75 per cent are under 21, often working long hours on a part-time basis so that the company can keep profits high without having to pay out sickness, holiday or other benefits. In Australia there were complaints from workers that the company was sacking them before their 20th birthdays to avoid having to pay adult wages.
Unions are taboo or outlawed.
In San Francisco McDonald s used lie detectors when asking applicants if they belonged to a union. In Madrid workers who asked for union elections were sacked. Not surprisingly the company boasts it knows of no unions in its British stores. McDonald s does not skimp when it comes to advertising, however. It spends more on one brand than any other company in the world.