text: McDonald's: Regulator says it's a "joint employer" – The Denver Post
  McDonald's: Regulator says it's a "joint employer"
  NEW YORK — McDonald's says it has been notified by a labor regulator that it can be named a "joint employer" for workers in its franchisee-owned restaurants.
  The decision by the National Labor Relations Board was being closely watched because it could potentially expose McDonald's to liability for the working conditions and practices in its franchisees' stores.
  It also puts pressure on the world's biggest hamburger chain at a time when protests for higher wages in the fast-food industry have captured national attention.
  McDonald's and other fast-food companies have repeatedly said they are not responsible for deciding wages and other terms at their franchised locations.
  In the U.S., the vast majority of McDonald's chain's more than 14,000 restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees.
  Labor organizers say McDonald's should be held accountable as a joint employer because the company has so much control in setting the terms of operations even at its franchised locations, such as what menus, supplies, uniforms and training materials are used.