A nationwide boycott of McDonald’s will begin on June 24 in light of wages, DEI rollbacks, and working conditions. Find out why people are protesting, what happens next for Walmart & Amazon, and how the movement is changing corporate accountability.
From controversy over Big Macs to a growing national boycott, McDonald’s, one of the largest fast-food franchises in the world, is once again in the news. This latest round of demonstrations comes in the wake of a historically low sales month in the U.S., which many analysts attribute to mounting consumer dissatisfaction with the company, focusing on wages, corporate diversity, and its silence on several important social issues.
What Is the McDonald’s Boycott All About?
At the heart of the boycott lies a complex set of issues. The frustration of a coalition of activists, labor unions, and groups for social justice encompasses many concerns:
Low wages for fast-food workers, many of whom earn under $15/hour in some states.
McDonald’s withdrawal or scaling-back of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to increased political push back.
Allegations of union-busting and poor working conditions.
McDonald’s perceived apathy towards its obligation to speak out during a time of national labor unrest.
The boycott is not simply a spontaneous gathering-it is a summons for action to hold the company accountable through the power of consumer sales.
Far in advance, planning more boycotts against Walmart and Amazon have begun.
This week’s McDonald’s boycott is merely the first blow. Activist groups such as People’s Union USA have drawn up a strategy to escalate the campaign against other corporate behemoths-Walmart and Amazon.
These corporate giants are facing similar accusations:
- Not paying livable wages
- Fighting unionization
- Backing out of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) commitments due to political pressure
All of these movements hope that sustained and combined boycotting would force these corporations to rethink their labor policies and their social contract.
Boycotts Defend the Trump War on DEI
One mounting impetus for these boycotts is what many activists are calling the “Trump war on DEI.” Under pressure from Trump and his allies to retreat on DEI in political and business arenas, corporations seem to be adjusting policies as well.
Activists claim that:
- The retreat from DEI is backward and discriminatory.
- These companies must show resistance or be complicit.
- Economic pressure, through boycott and protest and pulling investments, is the most effective form of resistance.
Viewed this way, McDonald’s is regarded not merely as a company but also as a symbol of corporate evil.
Here’s Why People Are Boycotting McDonald’s This Past Week: Explanation
Here are the principal aspects initiating the McDonald’s boycott this week:
- The officially designated day of start for the coordinated national boycott is June 24.
- The People’s Union USA organizes this boycott along with various grassroots labor coalitions.
- The protesters demand:
- a $20 federal minimum wage
- reinstatement of DEI programs
- support of fast-food chain union rights
There have been a lot of online calls to boycott trending across social media, which shows a noteworthy digital engagement and awareness.
This is not an isolated protest; it is the continuation of a strategically planned mass effort to challenge corporate power.
Why Are People Boycotting McDonald’s? Are There More Boycotts to Follow?
Beyond wages and DEI concerns, other allegations against McDonald’s include:
- unfair scheduling
- pay disparity in different locations
- the company’s massive political lobbying against pro-worker laws.
People’s Union USA has confirmed that there will be further boycotts planned in the future to target different brands and industries such as:
- retail
- logistics
- hospitality
It is these boycotts which are meant to gain momentum towards broader labor reforms.
McDonald’s Nationwide Boycott Begins June 24
This boycott will launch June 24, including:
- Protests at select McDonalds
- Follow online with some Twitter or Tik Tok campaigns using BoycottMcDonalds, Justice4Workers, etc.
- Support from large unions, and college students
The goal is simple but challenging: get McDonald’s to rethink its wage policy and announce its commitment to ethical labor practice.
Why McDonald’s is Subject to a Boycott
In short, a boycott from McDonald’s is due to:
- A slow reaction to wage demands;
- Perceived corporate indifference;
- Political and social pressure on corporations to take real positions on issues.
In McDonald’s balance sheet, there appears to be a deceleration in sales growth in the U.S. conceivably linked to the rate of public critique and consumer backlash.
Boycott Revives Questions of McDonald’s Stance on a Wage Increase
Historically, McDonald’s portrays itself as a wage increase market follower, only increasing wages in reaction to legislation, social norms, or a public or customer uproar. However, recent leaked internal memos posted on Twitter suggest McDonald’s is struggling with a policy change while worrying about reputation damage over the long run.
Nonetheless, activists continue to argue:
- That voluntary action is no longer sufficient for corporations;
- That McDonald’s must lead, not follow, labor rights.
People’s Union USA Announces Next Targets as Boycott Campaign Grows
People’s Union USA has made clear in a news release about its boycott campaign that some upcoming boycott targets are:
- Walmart for its alleged union-busting
- Amazon for its grueling conditions in warehouse work
- Target and its corporate partner Starbucks for their involvement in labor disputes
These latest boycotts are part of what the Union is calling a “Summer of Economic Justice,” a concerted effort to reshape the corporate-labor landscape in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is behind the McDonald’s boycott?
People’s Union USA in partnership with several labor and student groups.
Q2: What are the demands of the McDonald’s boycott?
The main demands are $20/hour pay, pro-labor union policy and reinstatement of DEI programs.
Q3: How long will the boycott last?
No end date is set, the organizers are clear that the boycott will continue until something changes.
Q4: Are any politicians involved in this boycott?
Several progressive politicians and lawmakers have expressed their support, but no federal official has yet publicly endorsed the boycott.
Q5: Is the boycott hurting McDonald’s financially?
McDonald’s has seen a slowdown of U.S. sales growth, of which analysts are attributing partly to an increase in activism and push back against the brand.
