Why Is Obama's Department of Labor Bringing On a Top McDonald's PR Person?

[Teamster Jeff]

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Labor Secretary Tom Perez has taken a lead role in President Barack Obama's push to increase the federal minimum wage. The fast food industry is one of the nation's largest employers of low- and minimum-wage workers. So why has the labor secretary brought on a top McDonald's PR person as a senior adviser?
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At the Department of Labor, Casillas will be meeting with business and community groups about the secretary's policy priorities, one of which is raising the minimum wage. That means she will inevitably be dealing with companies like McDonald's as well as the striking fast-food workers, says Craig Holman, a government ethics expert at the consumer watchdog Public Citizen. Her previous work for McDonald's could color how she presents their concerns to Perez, he argues, which means there is "clearly an appearance of a conflict of interest."
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"If she's a gatekeeper for who [the DoL] is meeting with, that's a problem," says a top organizer in the minimum-wage fight who did not want to be identified. He adds that McDonald's officials clearly don't have an "understanding of where workers are… [The hire] certainly sends a troubling message."
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http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/department-labor-hires-mcdonalds-spokesperson

[okaawhatever]

1. I don't agree. First a PR person doesn't necessarily agree with any position they represent. Also

her connections to McDonald's are an asset. I doubt Obama's administration would bring on someone who would tank their agenda. That's absurd. What this person can provide is a working knowledge of the McDonald's hierarchy and relationships among the same. It's not that she has ties to McDonalds in her previous work, it's how she uses them.

A good friend of mine had a friend who started a company. Getting the product into Wal-Mart would have made the difference between almost no money and millions. After he pitched the Wal-Mart buyer and didn't get the contract he hired the buyer from Wal-Mart who structured everything the way Wal-Mart wanted and then got the product on their shelves. The guy is a multi-millionaire now.

[Fumesucker]

5. You seem to be implying that this person will structure everything the way McDonalds wants

I doubt McDonalds agenda will be good for minimum wage workers.

[okaawhatever]

17. No, I'm saying they will be familiar with McDonalds m.o. and will be able to use it for the benefit

of Obama's administration. I'm sure McDonalds uses quite a few tricks. Those who have worked with them know what they are. Hopefully this woman will see them coming and be able to get the best deal for Obama and the workers.

[frazzled]

2. Maybe for the same reason ...

that Elizabeth Warren brought on top Wall Street bankers into major positions (not just advisory) at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? (These included the former managing directors of Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley; see http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/consumer-watchdog-hires-former-bankers/ )

Her reason was that you needed to have people who understand the business that's being regulated. Maybe it's the same here: this former McDonald's spokesperson may be able to help government officials fighting for higher minimum wage to understand the ways of negotiating with the fast food industry.

[Volaris]

9. I'm going to agree with this,

insofar as since we have nearly destroyed Public Service as a legitimate and productive, respected and useful Career Field, the ONLY people who know how the Regulated Private Sector actually operates are people who have spent most of their careers IN THOSE PRIVATE FIELDS.

For the future, if we want this changed, every University Campus in the Nation should open a School of Government and Public Service, and put it in the building that USED to house the campus Business School.

[KG]

3. because corporations are people too, my friend. their voices should be heard also

[Egalitarian Thug]

7. +1

[MisterP]

4. because he knows we not only bent over for WalMart, but blasted anyone criticizing the move

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6349253

[liberal_at_heart]

6. I'm tired of this administration wanting to hear how the business community will be affected by

legislation. I'd like to hear more about how legislation is going to affect workers. Too bad that is not the administration's priority.

[YoungDemCA]

8. In 21st century America, what's good for business is good for everyone.

Only Commies disagree.

[QC]

10. He's doing it so he can keep a close watch on those McDonalds types.

now they will be working for him and he can demand that they become responsible and decent corporate citizens.

[KG]

12. keeping his friends close, and his friends closer.

he's a wily one, that prez of ours.

[QC]

13. Yep. All that stuff he does that seems corporate is really the opposite.

Like the way he keeps asking the Republicans to help him cut Social Security?

That's really because he is trying to keep the Republicans from cutting Security Security.

Like you say, he's a wily one.

Many people claim not to understand, but that's just because they didn't get their pony.

[polichick]

11. Like Monsanto at the Dept. of Agriculture - sick.

[Scuba]

14. Same reason he put a Monsanto shill in the FDA.

OBAMA APPOINTS MONSANTO’S VICE PRESIDENT AS SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE COMMISSIONER AT THE FDA

http://thestoryoflibertyblog.com/2012/01/12/obama-appoints-monsantos-vice-president-as-senior-advisor-to-the-commissioner-at-the-fda/

[ProSense]

15. Well, it's a good thing

Labor Secretary Tom Perez has taken a lead role in President Barack Obama's push to increase the federal minimum wage. The fast food industry is one of the nation's largest employers of low- and minimum-wage workers. So why has the labor secretary brought on a top McDonald's PR person as a senior adviser?

...the person isn't the Sec. of Labor.

Perez: Fast food strikes show need for wage hike
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/perez-fast-food-strikes-show-need-wage-hike

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez Says More Employers Need To Follow Costco's Example
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023946521

Why Tom Perez Matters
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/18/2318901/why-tom-perez-matters/

[TBF]

16. Thanks for the articles - looks like he's in favor

of raising the minimum wage from $7.25 - $9.00.

I wish they'd double it.

Obama is a little more conservative then I am, but at least he's brought in someone who wants to raise it.