Cooks and cashiers at a McDonald’s in Los Angeles staged a walkout on July 20, protesting the restaurant’s broken air conditioning system, which subjected them to unbearable conditions during Southern California’s scorching heat wave. Workers complained of extreme temperatures in the kitchen due to additional heat from grills, fryers, and ovens.
Maria Rodriguez, a cook with two decades of service at the 2838 Crenshaw Blvd. McDonald’s, expressed her frustration, saying, “Management doesn’t seem to care. They say the air conditioning is working, but you can feel how hot it is.”
Supported by Fight for $15, an organization advocating for better wages and improved working conditions for fast-food employees, picketers held signs that read “No AC, no Service” and “McDonald’s on Strike.”
Restaurant owner/operator, Nicole Enearu, insisted that the air conditioning was functioning properly, but the workers are standing firm until the issue is addressed. The McDonald’s workers walk out highlights the challenges faced by fast-food workers in LA, where they make up a significant portion of the workforce and struggle to survive amid low wages, inflation, and high housing costs.
This is not the first time McDonald’s employees in the area have raised concerns about working conditions. In June, workers at another McDonald’s location in East LA staged an eight-day walkout, alleging pressure to work while sick or injured, following the tragic death of an employee who was reportedly forced to work despite feeling unwell.
Fast food workers are advocating for the passage of Assembly Bill 257, aiming to create a state-run council to negotiate fair wages, hours, and working conditions for California’s half-million fast-food employees. The bill is set to go before voters in the November 2024 election.
If you or someone you know is facing similar workplace difficulties, reach out to the Labor Law Advocates for support and assistance. We provide legal help to employees whose rights have been violated. It is our mission to ensure that all workers are treated fairly at their workplace and receive the benefits and wages they are entitled to. Contact our award-winning employment lawyers today for a free consultation.
