Two-time presidential candidate and civil rights chief the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. has provided a letter supporting McDonald’s franchisee Herb Washington in his lawsuit in opposition to McDonald’s USA.
A public relations agency aiding Washington launched a letter from Jackson on Thursday, saying McDonald’s “must implement a respect-based plan for black operators” and that Jackson “will keep in touch with the chief management of McDonald’s concerning these points.”
Washington, who lives in Mahoning County and runs seven McDonald’s eating places in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, alleges McDonald’s used racial discrimination in opposition to him and different black franchise house owners and retaliated in opposition to Washington when he spoke up about it.
McDonald’s has said in reply to Washington’s allegations that the problems Washington is elevating are “the results of years of mismanagement by Mr. Washington.”
The letter says Jackson, 79, lately realized of of the litigation filed Tuesday in U.S. District Courtroom by Washington, “whom I met within the 80s whereas operating for president. Herb Washington is a person of integrity, having served on the board of the Federal Reserve Financial institution for a few years.”
Jackson’s letter continues, “His lawsuit in opposition to McDonald’s has my consideration, and I’m involved about its decision.”
It notes: “There’s a rising disaster rising between McDonald’s and its black proprietor operators, who’ve traditionally been allies and the face of the company.
“Though McDonald’s has made large strides over time, there appears to be an antagonistic wind blowing within the face of its black operators.”
The letter is written underneath the letterhead of the nationwide headquarters of the Rainbow Push Coalition, headquartered in Chicago, of which Jackson is founder and president.
Washington at one time had 27 McDonald’s eating places however has 14 now as a result of McDonald’s “tightly controls who could enter its system,” limiting who the franchisee can promote its eating places to and forcing house owners to promote eating places that don’t meet sure requirements, Washington and his legal professionals have stated.
“As a part of its effort to scale back black possession in its system, McDonald’s focused Mr. Washington for unfair grading and assessments designed to render him ineligible to proceed to function his eating places,” the swimsuit states.
Immediately’s breaking information and extra in your inbox
