- McLibel -

McLibel 2 winners in USA

In Reply to: Who were the real winners? posted by Paul Nicholls on June 20, 1997 at 10:58:56:

Although the US laws allow "freedom" to employers (I am one) as no European or developed Far East nation does while ignoring the mere concept of employees' rights, many US corporations are very responsible. Many do things they are not required to do by law and quite a few do more for their employees than European or Japanese companies (required by law) do. Quite a few American companies are very environment-friendly or at least try to be.

McDonald's is not among them. McDonald's employmemt practices, attitude toward customers, advertising are a subject of constant jokes. However, as far as I know, there was no case comparable to the McLibel in the US (for many reasons, including US Constitutional, strongly defined freedom of speech). What did MCLibel folks achieve? - well they got on the first pages of the New York Times and most major American newspapers. The reaction to the end of the trial was very much anti-McDonald's. May be they lost in Britain, but they won in the United States.

Sven Siylak, IBIA

Follow Ups:

• Re: McLibel 2 winners in USA Paul Nicholls Get real corp. UK June 23 1997 (3)
  • McDonald's stole jobs Sven Siylak IBIA USA July 05 1997 (0)
  • exploitation of third world children Belinda Hind UK June 24 1997 (1)
    • It's often difficult in our western 'lap of luxury' Mark Wells Mount Saint Vincent University Canada April 01 1999 (0)
• They only sell hamburgers Steve USA (southern Calif) June 22 1997 (5)
  • Taking up the anti-Mac cross Paul Nicholls lawyer UK June 23 1997 (2)
    • Re: Taking up the anti-Mac cross Kim June 23 1997 (0)
    • Re: Taking up the anti-Mac cross Kim June 23 1997 (0)
  • Burgers are just the end of the production line Ben UK June 22 1997 (1)
    • Re: Burgers are just the end of the production line PAUL NICHOLLS GET REAL CORP UK June 23 1997 (0)