We are aware that numerous Massachusetts Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees have had filed against them civil class action lawsuits involving the alleged use of margarine or other butter substitutes. We further understand that the lawsuits allege Massachusetts franchisees placed margarine or another butter substitute on customers’ baked products when the customer specifically asked for “butter”. We…
Although still subject to acceptance by the Administrative Law Judge, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and McDonald’s Corporation have reached a tentative agreement that brings a 2014 lawsuit initiated by the Obama NLRB to a close. The tentative settlement, the terms of which have not been disclosed, does not include any admission of wrongdoing…
For the second time, the NLRB has extended the timeline for public comment on the agency’s December Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Board’s 2014 decision changing union election processes. Those changes dramatically reduced the amount of time for an employer to allow a union representation election. The RFI asks whether the ambush election regulation…
It is a much shorter window this year with the DDIFO National Conference being held in New Orleans on June 11 & 12, 2018 so as not to conflict with the Dunkin’ convention in the Fall. We will officially open both the Conference Registration as well as the hotel reservation link to reserve your room…
Concerted efforts to increase minimum wages across the country began with President Obama’s call for a national minimum wage of $9.00 in his 2013 State of the Union message but 5 plus years later, the mantra for still more increases continues in many states. Democratic lawmakers in Ohio are currently pushing legislation that would increase…
The state of Washington became the latest to outlaw prospective employers from inquiring about the criminal history of job applicants until they have been determined eligible for the job. Governor Jay Inslee (D) signed House bill 1298, also known as the Fair Chance Act into law last week, just days after the legislature adjourned for…
As more municipalities get involved in mandating what have historically fallen within the purview of the state or federal government, the notion of passing state preemptions becomes more important. On the matter of salary history bans, the state of Michigan recently took precisely that action, sending Senate bill 353 to Governor Rick Snyder for his…
The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) 2018 CFA Day in Washington, DC will be held on May 9. This annual CFA event is a golden opportunity to unite with franchisees from 17 different brands in various industries from across the United States to learn about pressing legislative issues and advocate for franchisee issues before members…
Small business confidence continues to build according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) as their monthly optimism index for February rose to a total score of 107.6, one of the highest ever. Respondents’ confidence was up across all of the 10 categories that the survey measures, with the one significant red flag being…
We had to revisit a few items before we could confirm it, but it is now official that the 2018 DDIFO National Conference will be held in New Orleans on Monday and Tuesday, June 11 & 12 at the Harrahs New Orleans Hotel and Casino. Registration is now open for Franchisees. The DDIFO room block…
Small Regular - No Sugar Newsletter is weekly email with news and updates - it is like a virtual cup of coffee with DDIFO Executive Director Ed Shanahan