McDonald Franchiser Tries To Intimidate Employees On How To Vote Through Their Paychecks

Category: News Briefs Published on Monday, 01 November 2010 17:35

In Canton, Ohio, McDonald’s employees received something extra in their paychecks prior to Tuesday’s elections.

According to the Huffington Post, McDonald franchise owner, Paul Siegfried possibly violated Ohio’s election law after enclosing a note coercing his employees who to vote for and a list of his endorsed candidates.

“…If the right people are elected we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above our present levels. If others are elected, we will not. As always, who you vote for is completely your personal decision and many factors go into your decision,” the note stated. At the end of the note, the employer provided a list of Republican candidates.

According to Allen Schulman of the Canton law firm, Schulman Zimmerman & Associates who received the documents from one of the employees, he stated, “The handbill endorses candidates who have in essence pledged to roll back the minimum wage.”

Ohio election law states that no corporation “shall print or authorize to be print…or post or exhibit in the establishment or anywhere in or about the establishment…handbills containing any threat, notice, or information that if any particular candidate is elected or defeated, work in the establishment will cease in whole or in part, or other threats expressed or implied, intended to influence the political opinions or votes of…its employees,” the Huffington Post reported.

Schulman turned the documents over to local prosecutors seeking criminal charges.

On Friday, Siegfried apologized in a written statement.