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The Rev. Jesse Jackson has issued a statement expressing his concern on what he described as “a growing crisis emerging between McDonald’s and its black owner operators, who have historically been allies and the face of the corporation.”
The statement was released today in light of Youngstown franchisee Herb Washington’s civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday against McDonald’s USA in federal court.
Washington, who has operated McDonald's restaurants for 40 years in New York, Ohio and western Pennsylvania, is alleging racial discrimination and retaliation against him as a black franchisee.
McDonald’s has defended its actions claiming that some of Washington’s restaurants were mismanaged and "have a public record" of "health and sanitation concerns."
In his statement today, Jackson said this:
“Although McDonalds has made tremendous strides over the years, there seems to be an adverse wind blowing in the face of its black operators. I recently learned of litigation being filed by Herb Washington, whom I met in the 80s while running for president.
“Herb Washington is a man of integrity, having served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank for many years. His lawsuit against McDonald’s has my attention and I am concerned about its resolution. McDonald’s needs to implement a respect-based plan for Black operators. I will be in contact with the executive leadership of McDonalds regarding these issues.”
For more on this story, read Friday’s Tribune Chronicle.