SHENYANG -- Employees of a McDonald's outlet convened a trade union conference Friday morning, forming the first union branch in the fast-food giant's stores in northeast China.

Yang Saidan, 26, deputy manager assistant of the Pengli outlet adjacent to a commercial street in downtown Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, was elected chairwoman of the trade union committee during the low-key meeting.

"It is a good start for the company. I'll try my best to protect workers' rights and interests according to law," said Yang, who has been working in the outlet for six years.

So far, 13 out of the 41 employees have joined the union organization.

Guo Jing, a college student who works part-time in the outlet, said she was happy to be a member of the union.

"I'm considering to work here after my graduation," said Guo.

After about a month's negotiation with local trade union authorities, McDonald's agreed to have trade union organization in each of its 16 outlets in the city, according to Li Jinsheng, director of the organizing committee with Shenyang Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU).

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