No need to bid adieu to that Big Mac. The U.S. Department of Labor is temporarily exempting fast food restaurants on Navy and Marine Corps installations from new minimum wage rules that led to the closure of McDonald's restaurants on several bases.
The Military Times reports that in March, the new minimum wage law prompted the closure of McDonald’s restaurants on three Navy bases. Marine Corps officials told the Military Times that a McDonald's will also close on an unnamed Marine base.
Russell Beland, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for military manpower and personnel, wrote a letter dated April 8 to the Labor Department, asking for an exemption from the new minimum wage regulations, according to the Navy Times:
[Beland] estimate[d] that up to 390 fast food concession operations would close on installations across the U.S. and its territories, which would result in the loss of jobs for nearly 5,750 employees.
In addition, a group of 40 members of Congress sent a letter to the Labor Department on April 10, requesting the same exemption:
“Should these policy changes be fully implemented, we are concerned they will eliminate jobs, negatively impact recreational services on military bases, and limit the dining options for service men and women on military installations."
But labor activist George Faraday told The Fiscal Times the argument against the new wage rules is bunk:
“The specter of mass layoffs being raised is an illusion. If they care about the welfare of military spouses they should care about whether military spouses [working at fast food outlets] are making a living wage.”
What do you think of the new minimum wage law being exempted for fast food outlets on military bases? Have your say in our comments section!
