McJobs

[P. Kerim Friedman]

There is a good discussion of this article here:

<http://importance.typepad.com/the_importance_of/2003/11/
mctrademark_fol.html>

McDonald’s balks at ‘McJob’ entry

<http://www.msnbc.com/news/990944.asp>

CEO takes Merriam-Webster to task for definition in dictionary

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO, Nov. 8 — McDonald’s says it deserves a break from the
unflattering way the latest Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
depicts its job opportunities.

AMONG SOME 10,000 new additions to an updated version released in June
was the term “McJob,” defined as “low paying and dead-end work.”

       In an open letter to Merriam-Webster, McDonald’s CEO Jim
Cantalupo said the term is “an inaccurate description of restaurant
employment” and “a slap in the face to the 12 million men and women”
who work in the restaurant industry.

       The company e-mailed the letter to media organizations Friday,
and it also was published in the Nov. 3 edition of an industry trade
publication.

       Cantalupo also wrote that “more than 1,000 of the men and women
who own and operate McDonald’s restaurants today got their start by
serving customers behind the counter.”

       McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant chain, has more than
30,000 restaurants and more than 400,000 employees.

       Walt Riker, a spokesman for McDonald’s, said the Oak Brook,
Ill.-based fast-food giant also is concerned that “McJob” closely
resembles McJOBS, the company’s training program for mentally and
physically challenged people.

       “McJOBS is trademarked and we’ve notified them that legally
that’s an issue for us as well,” Riker said.

       A message left at Merriam-Webster’s headquarters in Springfield,
Mass., was not immediately returned Friday evening.