Josh Eidelson — Video: McDonald’s tells workers to get food stamps A new recording captures the fast food giant's worker 1-800 number touting public assistance

An audio recording released by labor activists Wednesday afternoon captures a staffer for McDonald’s’ “McResources Line” instructing a McDonald’s worker how to apply for public assistance.

The audio – excerpted in the campaign video below – records a conversation between Chicago worker Nancy Salgado, a ten-year employee currently making the Illinois state minimum wage of $8.25, and a counselor staffing the company’s “McResources” 1-800 number for McDonald’s workers. The McResources staffer offers her a number to “ask about things like food pantries” and tells her she “would most likely be eligible for SNAP benefits” which she explains are “food stamps.” After Salgado asks about “the doctor,” the staffer asks, “Did you try to get on Medicaid?” She notes it’s “health coverage for low income or no income adults and children.”

Salon
Video: McDonald’s tells workers to get food stamps A new recording captures the fast food giant's worker 1-800 number touting public assistance
Josh Eidelson

I suppose the conservative answer is to cut all welfare payments in order to force companies to pay a living wage, and that welfare just encourages companies to do this.