MSN

6/20/25

McDonald’s is set to face a national boycott starting June 24, organized by The People’s Union USA. This group, described as a ‘grassroots movement focused on economic resistance, corporate accountability, and real justice for the working class,’ has been actively orchestrating boycotts against major corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Target since February, according to Newsweek. The upcoming boycott against McDonald’s is part of their ongoing ‘Economic Blackout Tour,’ which aims to challenge corporate practices and advocate for fair treatment of workers.

Background of the Movement

The People’s Union USA has been leading a series of boycotts against well-known companies throughout 2025. Their ‘Economic Blackout Tour’ has already targeted giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. The boycott against McDonald’s, scheduled from June 24 to June 30, is the latest in this series. The movement seeks to address issues such as tax evasion, poor working conditions, lobbying against wage increases, and monopolistic practices, as highlighted by The People’s Union USA.

Reasons behind the Boycott

The primary reasons for the boycott, as stated by The People’s Union USA, revolve around ‘economic resistance’ as a means to achieve corporate accountability and ‘real justice for the working class.’ The group has raised concerns about McDonald’s alleged tax evasion, unfavorable working conditions, lobbying against wage hikes, and general monopolistic practices. These issues are central to the movement’s mission to ensure that corporations contribute fairly to society and treat their workers equitably.

John Schwarz, the founder of The People’s Union USA, emphasized the effectiveness of economic resistance in a video on Instagram. He stated, ‘The economic resistance is working,’ and expressed the group’s determination to make corporations ‘finally pay their fair share of federal income taxes to relieve the burden on the American worker.’ Schwarz also called for companies to maintain reasonable profit margins and equality across the board.

Previous boycotts against McDonald’s

It’s important to note that McDonald’s has been dealing with a boycott led by the pro-Palestinian movement Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) since late 2023. This boycott is due to alleged complicity with Israeli military actions in Gaza. The new boycott by The People’s Union USA adds to the existing pressure, although the motivations differ. The focus of The People’s Union USA is on economic justice and corporate accountability.

Historically, McDonald’s has addressed concerns about wage increases. In a 2019 letter obtained by Politico, Genna Gent, McDonald’s vice president of government relations, stated that the corporation would not use its resources, including lobbyists or staff, to oppose federal, state, or local minimum wage increases. This stance reflects McDonald’s commitment to not actively resisting wage hikes, although the current boycott highlights broader issues beyond wages.

According to Newsweek, the boycott against McDonald’s has received less attention compared to campaigns against Walmart, Amazon, and Target. The latter has been subjected to a ‘permanent boycott,’ as stated by Schwarz, to feel ‘the full power of the people.’ Despite the lower visibility, the boycott against McDonald’s is part of a larger movement challenging corporate practices and advocating for worker rights.

The People’s Union USA has ambitious plans for future boycotts. They intend to organize a boycott on Independence Day, as well as a month-long boycott of Starbucks, Amazon, and Home Depot in July. Additionally, Schwarz announced that McDonald’s, Walmart, and Lowe’s will be targeted for another boycott in August. These plans underscore the group’s commitment to sustained economic resistance and corporate accountability.