Fast-food workers at more than 50 restaurants strike for more pay, health security
Fast-food workers all around Florida went on strike Wednesday to advocate for more health security and higher pay during the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The Fight for $15 campaign worked with cooks and cashiers at more than 50 fast-food chains including McDonald’s, Burger King, Checkers, Pizza Hut, Popeyes and Starbucks in South Florida, Orlando and Tampa to go on strike and form a digital strike line by meeting together on a Zoom Conference call.
“Until a few weeks ago, workers in McDonald’s were being told they shouldn’t wear masks at work because it would scare customers away, or we would be suspended or sent home just for protecting ourselves,” said Jamelia Fairley, a striking McDonald’s worker in Orlando on the call. “At one point we were told to use a coffee filter and a hairnet to make a mask.”
The campaign said workers have been forced to “jerry-rig” masks out of T-shirts, bandannas, coffee filters and hair nets to protective themselves during the virus outbreak. The Fight for $15 began in 2012 and works toward more fast-food worker rights and raising minimum wage to $15.
“[The pandemic] has only highlighted more and more the values that we’ve been fighting for and how critical they are,” said U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Central Florida, who was also on the conference call. “Whether it is making sure we have hazard pay for essential workers — all essential workers, sick pay, or increased access to healthcare.”
A McDonald’s spokesperson had this to say in regard to the workers strike:
“The health and safety of our employees and customers is our number one priority. Since the coronavirus pandemic began impacting the U.S., and in accordance with the guidance of the CDC, we’ve continuously evolved our safety programs and processes across the U.S. in order to help customers and restaurant employees feel safe.
“McDonald’s has supplied all required personal protective equipment to our restaurants. We have provided restaurants with masks and gloves since April. Additionally, we have begun installing protective barriers at the drive-thru and front counter, as well as floor decals to ensure social distancing by customers. Also, our restaurant procedures call for wellness checks to be conducted at the beginning of each shift.
“We are disappointed by today’s activities as they do not represent the feedback we are hearing from the majority of employees across the country.”
According to its website, McDonald’s has implemented several safety guidelines for workers including paid sick leave, wellness checks and the requiring of gloves.
Burger King did not immediately respond when asked to comment on the strike.
Workers also joined a town hall by the Poor People’s Campaign on Facebook on Wednesday night.
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 7:21 PM.
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