McD's worker sues: Don't pay by debit card

nhboy

Ubi bene ibi patria
Link to original article.

"All Natalie Gunshannon wanted was to be paid a fair wage for her work, she said.

Gunshannon, 27, of Dallas Township, worked at McDonald's Restaurant on the Dallas Highway from April 24 to May 15. When she received her first paycheck, enclosed was a Chase Bank debit card with instructions on how to use it and the fees attached.

Her future earnings would be deposited into the debit card account and she could access her money from there. Gunshannon never signed the card and when she returned to work she asked her supervisor if she could be paid by check or by direct deposit. She was told the card was the only option.

Gunshannon, a single mother of one daughter, quit her job at McDonald's and went to see an attorney, Mike Cefalo of West Pittston. A class-action lawsuit was filed Thursday in Luzerne County Court by Cefalo on behalf of Gunshannon and other employees, seeking damages, fees and costs.

The suit seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages and asks for punitive, compensatory and liquidated damages, plus legal fees and litigation costs against the company for its "ill-gotten gains contrary to justice, equity, good conscience and Pennsylvania law."

Gunshannon said she didn't sign the card and chose to not enroll in the payroll system offered because she felt the fees would be exorbitant and actually drop her earnings below minimum wage.

She was to be paid about $7.44 per hour - her paystub didn't list her hourly rate. Minimum wage is $7.25.

According to the complaint filed, the JP Morgan Chase payroll card lists several fees, including a $1.50 charge for ATM withdrawals, $5 for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, $1 per balance inquiry, 75 cents per online bill payment and $15 for lost/stolen card.
 

Bird Dog

Bird Dog
PREMO Member
Link to original article.

"All Natalie Gunshannon wanted was to be paid a fair wage for her work, she said.

Gunshannon, 27, of Dallas Township, worked at McDonald's Restaurant on the Dallas Highway from April 24 to May 15. When she received her first paycheck, enclosed was a Chase Bank debit card with instructions on how to use it and the fees attached.

Her future earnings would be deposited into the debit card account and she could access her money from there. Gunshannon never signed the card and when she returned to work she asked her supervisor if she could be paid by check or by direct deposit. She was told the card was the only option.

Gunshannon, a single mother of one daughter, quit her job at McDonald's and went to see an attorney, Mike Cefalo of West Pittston. A class-action lawsuit was filed Thursday in Luzerne County Court by Cefalo on behalf of Gunshannon and other employees, seeking damages, fees and costs.

The suit seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages and asks for punitive, compensatory and liquidated damages, plus legal fees and litigation costs against the company for its "ill-gotten gains contrary to justice, equity, good conscience and Pennsylvania law."

Gunshannon said she didn't sign the card and chose to not enroll in the payroll system offered because she felt the fees would be exorbitant and actually drop her earnings below minimum wage.

She was to be paid about $7.44 per hour - her paystub didn't list her hourly rate. Minimum wage is $7.25.

According to the complaint filed, the JP Morgan Chase payroll card lists several fees, including a $1.50 charge for ATM withdrawals, $5 for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, $1 per balance inquiry, 75 cents per online bill payment and $15 for lost/stolen card.

Maybe you can get her a job with Soros and start posting stupid liberal crap on the internet.
 

FreedomFan

Snarky 'ol Cuss
According to the complaint filed, the JP Morgan Chase payroll card lists several fees, including a $1.50 charge for ATM withdrawals, $5 for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, $1 per balance inquiry, 75 cents per online bill payment and $15 for lost/stolen card.

Those are probably better rates than most workers on the economic margins pay at those "check cashing" stores they so often frequent (conveniently located adjacent to liquor stores, I note). Sounds like a deal to me.
 

BigBlue

New Member
Those are probably better rates than most workers on the economic margins pay at those "check cashing" stores they so often frequent (conveniently located adjacent to liquor stores, I note). Sounds like a deal to me.


You really are an idiot , how do you get paid ...in food stamps???:killingme
 

Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
I think this is a load of crap!

The woman is being paid her salary by a Debit card - which the bank it's drawn on charges her to use. That's not right. Sometimes, a bank will have a "deal" with a company so their employees can cash checks free, etc. if they have an account. The article doesn't say she has to open an account there, and if she has to open an account, how much money she needs to leave in it to not accrue fees OR if that is even possible to avoid the fees.

I have a credit union (not a bank) account, and I am not charged a fee for cashing checks or anything of that nature. Not sure what banks do these days.

According the attorney, the PA law states employees have a right to choose to be paid by check or cash. I'm not sure they can get away with this if that's the case.

Interesting to see how it turns out.
 

Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
Those are probably better rates than most workers on the economic margins pay at those "check cashing" stores they so often frequent (conveniently located adjacent to liquor stores, I note). Sounds like a deal to me.

How is it a deal? There are all sorts of fees attached to that debit card before she can access her money.

How do you know where she cashes her checks? You're making assumptions based on ...what, exactly?
 

MarieB

New Member
I think this is a load of crap!

The woman is being paid her salary by a Debit card - which the bank it's drawn on charges her to use. That's not right. Sometimes, a bank will have a "deal" with a company so their employees can cash checks free, etc. if they have an account. The article doesn't say she has to open an account there, and if she has to open an account, how much money she needs to leave in it to not accrue fees OR if that is even possible to avoid the fees.

I have a credit union (not a bank) account, and I am not charged a fee for cashing checks or anything of that nature. Not sure what banks do these days.

According the attorney, the PA law states employees have a right to choose to be paid by check or cash. I'm not sure they can get away with this if that's the case.

Interesting to see how it turns out.

This is a special type of debit card that is offered by payroll companies for those who choose to use it. Normally, you would have had to actually choose that option, and sign a statement saying that you are choosing that option and understand the fees. You don't need an account at a certain bank to use it, but I remember from doing payroll that the fees are very high. I don't get this. It sounds like there is something missing from this story, or there is a very stupid, rogue franchise owner a/o manager.

I'm pretty sure there are states where employers can require direct deposit, which might mean that some people have to use the debit card option. I am however surprised that an employee can request a cash payment.
 
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Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
This is a special type of debit card that is offered by payroll companies for those who choose to use it. Normally, you would have had to actually choose that option, and sign a statement saying that you are choosing that option and understand the fees. You don't need an account at a certain bank to use it, but I remember from doing payroll that the fees are very high. I don't get this. It sounds like there is something missing from this story, or there is a very stupid, rogue franchise owner a/o manager.

I'm pretty sure there are states where employers can require direct deposit, which might mean that people have to use the debit card option. I am however surprised that an employee can request a cash payment.

I understand that it is a special type of debit card - but regardless of whether it's drawn on a certain bank or you can take it to any bank to use, I just think the fees attached to using it are unfair if it is THE ONLY option for receiving pay. An employee is entitled to their full net pay - they should *not* have to pay fees to access it. :shrug:
 

Merlin99

Visualize whirled peas
PREMO Member
I understand that it is a special type of debit card - but regardless of whether it's drawn on a certain bank or you can take it to any bank to use, I just think the fees attached to using it are unfair if it is THE ONLY option for receiving pay. An employee is entitled to their full net pay - they should *not* have to pay fees to access it. :shrug:

I agree with you 100%, you shouldn't have to pay a fee to get your paycheck. Even if you don't have your own account you can always cash it at the bank it's drawn upon.
 

MarieB

New Member
I understand that it is a special type of debit card - but regardless of whether it's drawn on a certain bank or you can take it to any bank to use, I just think the fees attached to using it are unfair if it is THE ONLY option for receiving pay. An employee is entitled to their full net pay - they should *not* have to pay fees to access it. :shrug:


Absolutely, I agree. I was just giving some info about what I am familiar with and why it sounded like this might not be the whole story.

And after looking into it further, the story was correct



Under the onslaught of negative press, there have been steps in the right direction—the McDonald's franchise where Gunshannon worked has now said that it will offer all its employees the option of a paper check or direct deposit, in addition to the card. Previously, according to the lawsuit, only managers had that choice. The decision covers some 800 workers at 16 stores. “We didn't hear any complaints. Many employees have been using these cards without complaint for many months. When it became apparent there were some employees who may want the choice, we're going to give them the choice," a company spokesperson told the Associated Press. (Gunshannon isn't dropping her lawsuit, though, saying that the company's actions are “damage control.”)

After Outcry, McDonald’s Franchise Drops Compulsory ‘Payroll Debit Cards’ - Working In These Times
 

FreedomFan

Snarky 'ol Cuss
I think this is a load of crap!

The woman is being paid her salary by a Debit card - which the bank it's drawn on charges her to use. That's not right.

Working at a #### hole like McDonald's should hurt. It serves to remind you to get off your pathetic lazy ass, get an education and get a better job, and become a productive citizen.
 

GURPS

INGSOC
PREMO Member
Normally, you would have had to actually choose that option, and sign a statement saying that you are choosing that option and understand the fees.


this is the only way to get paid if you do not have a bank account and can do direct deposit ... many our teen workers do not have their own bank accounts [so yeah I guess you get a choice, setup direct deposit before you start working or we pay you on a debit card]


Also I do not think Corp HR would be ignorant enough to sign up for a program costing employees money
 

protectmd

New Member
Working at a #### hole like McDonald's should hurt. It serves to remind you to get off your pathetic lazy ass, get an education and get a better job, and become a productive citizen.

Im going to disagree with you on this comment. First off, at least individuals who work at McDonalds are working. Whether its 7-11, Subway, or whatever, everyone starts out somewhere. I started out working as a delivery driver before I moved up in the world to make the big bucks. How can you look down upon someone who works, in an American society where welfare and free rides are promoted? At least this person has a job, they are working and trying to make an honest dollar.

Second off.... Talk about getting kicked in the teeth when your down. Not only do you pay tons of taxes to the government to fund those who do not work after working all day for minimum wage, but now you have the corporation that you work for working in concert with big banks who are going to put excessive fees and taxes on whats left at the end of the day. At least back in the day, they paid you in real cash, you paid less taxes, and you had the RIGHT TO CHOOSE what to do with your money. It seems in todays world, McDonalds Corporation has become just like the nanny state government and made choices for their employee's. Is this the America that you dreamed about living in? Is this really still a country where you can start out small and work 2 jobs, go to school and work your way up in the world, or have we created a system where nobody can get ahead no matter how hard you try?

This system reminds me of my time in the military. While in bootcamp, the US Government had a contract with Fort Sill National Bank. You were ORDERED to sign up for this bank against your will, and this is where your pay went for 3/4 months. At the end of bootcamp, the drill instructors highly advised to ditch the bank, and sign up for Navy Federal Credit Union (The other and better option on the military base). When you go to shut down your Fort Sill account, there was fee's for cancellation etc.

I would imagine sometime soon, if Obama had his way we would pay into the Obama bank. All of our money would go in there, and maybe the government would decide how to redistribute the wealth. Perhaps under the Obama plan, the government will decide for us what fee's we owe, how much money we can withdraw, and so forth. I wonder how you would feel about that?

With that being said, if you support McDonalds and Chase bank in their contract to screw the American worker, then shame on you. If you think this person is just suing McDonalds and fighting the power because he/she is looking for a free ride, I highly doubt that is the case. McDonalds and Chase only did this because they got away with it. Look at the money they made over the years doing this. This is why its worth it as a corporation in America to screw over your employee's, because its cheaper to pay for an attorney and a lawsuit vs's to payout and do the right thing. So perhaps the attorney and employee was looking for a payday, but the way I see it, I am glad that they are sticking it to Ronald and friends.
 

FreedomFan

Snarky 'ol Cuss
With that being said, if you support McDonalds and Chase bank in their contract to screw the American worker, then shame on you.

I like how you used the socialist word worker rather than the capitalist word employee. Don't like their terms? Then go work someplace else. No gun is being held to their head near as I can tell.
 

protectmd

New Member
Worker, Employee, whatever you prefer. My response is anything but socialist. The fact that this is what is offered to American's, the "lesser of 2 evils" makes me sick. Its the equivalent of paying ridiculous fee's for health insurance that makes excuses not to cover you, or letting the government take taxes out for "Obamacare" that will send you to an early grave because they won't cover you either. This is what veterans fight for, to come home to a country that is going to shaft them, kill them, treat them poorly, take their hard earned money and leave them with nothing.

While I agree the CITIZEN has the right to "Go somewhere else" and seek new employment, but I am guessing you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. For those out there who don't have to work jobs as a teenager, learn self responsibility and work for our money, an atmosphere and a glass ceiling has been created to prevent the little guy from working his way up in America. You and I both know this. Immigrants who come here illegally seem to have more rights and opportunities than American citizens. Think about this. They often work under the table, don't pay taxes, and send that US Currency home so their family can live in luxury in their home country. If they want to go on "vacation" they get deported and are given a free airline flight to their home country courtesy of ICE.

However, for the rest of us out here who had to work our way up in the world, the reality is there isn't alot of options anymore when you graduate high school in America. Landscaping jobs, low end menial jobs in fast food, construction etc, are all filled up by illegal immigrants. Employers would rather risk the fines of getting caught employing illegal immigrants over hiring college students for the summer. Even I can understand why its easier to go out and commit felonies and collect every sort of government handout you can get over going into the military or going to college. Look at all of the individuals who've gone the "college degree" route who find themselves swamped in student loan debt with insane interest rates, they find themselves entering a job market that doesn't give them that "Bang for their buck" when it comes to having a college degree. America's workforce is ruled by minority favoritism and liberal's who encourage corruption, and its only getting worse.

Whats worse is that people like yourself believe that companies have the right to engage in this type of behavior. Offering American citizens limited options that only makes taking the easy route of crime and welfarism more appealing over working for the honest dollar. The more companies that engage in this type of behavior, the more the people demand regulation, bigger government and the demand for "change" occurs. Whats needed in America is companies to police themselves. If companies did this, then we wouldn't have unions, labor laws, and industry regulation. The demand for government regulation wouldn't be there. Very few American companies offer good benefits, the opportunity to grow and promote from within, a healthy friendly work environment, a good salary that fluctuates with our economy and a good retirement. The reason many companies offer this is because unions, lawsuits and regulation FORCED companies to do this. If you don't think the work environment is hostile in America, then explain why the majority of American's are overworked, underpaid, treated poorly in their jobs and workplace violence or the threat thereof is the highest in the world? Countries in Europe are efficient, enjoy more down time and days off, and spend time with their families. The same goes for the middle east. You may not like to hear this but its true.

By companies engaging in corruption and unethical business practice is what caused the citizens of America to demand "change" or socialism if you will in dealing with corporate business in America.

Don't worry, the collapse is coming. At this rate, this country cannot hold together much longer. When you start seeing people who graduate college suffer from unemployment and lose faith in "The system" you will see social unrest. When the military and police forces don't recieve a paycheck because corruption and mismanagement has left the accounts empty, who will come to the rescue to save these corrupt individuals from the masses?
 
C

czygvtwkr

Guest
Working at a #### hole like McDonald's should hurt. It serves to remind you to get off your pathetic lazy ass, get an education and get a better job, and become a productive citizen.

Someone has to work at McDonalds, how else am I gonna get my Shamrock shake in March?
 

FreedomFan

Snarky 'ol Cuss
Don't worry, the collapse is coming. At this rate, this country cannot hold together much longer. When you start seeing people who graduate college suffer from unemployment and lose faith in "The system" you will see social unrest. When the military and police forces don't recieve a paycheck because corruption and mismanagement has left the accounts empty, who will come to the rescue to save these corrupt individuals from the masses?

You act as if this is an undesirable thing.

Hey, I have a great idea! Maybe these "workers" can form a union and use the collective power of a large group to bargain for better working conditions.

United Food Service Workers of America Unite!
 

GURPS

INGSOC
PREMO Member
Hey, I have a great idea! Maybe these "workers" can form a union and use the collective power of a large group to bargain for better working conditions.

United Food Service Workers of America Unite!

:killingme


ask the bakers union how that worked out
 
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