Fast Food Workers and Fight for $15

In May 2020, workers at the McDonald’s franchise store on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, California were not being adequately protected from COVID-19. Workers initially were not provided masks, but instead were given dog diapers, coffee filters, and rubber bands and told to make their own. They were not given adequate time for handwashing or sufficient supplies for cleaning the store. Social distancing was not enforced and frequently was not possible, and often, there was insufficient sanitization of equipment. Workers were pressured to keep working when they were sick, and were not notified of potential exposures to COVID-19.

The Fight for $15 (FF$15) movement began in 2012 when two hundred fast-food workers walked off the job to demand $15/hr and union rights in New York City. It has grown into a global movement in over 300 cities on six continents. The movement’s campaigns include fast-food workers, home health aides, child care teachers, airport workers, adjunct professors, and retail employees.

Learn more about the campaign and specific strategies below.
Click here for a video of the full story.

2020

May

Workers and their families start falling ill

Facemask Dog Diaper — Makeshift dog diaper, coffee filter, and rubber band mask that was given to workers to make on their own. Photo Credit: FF$15

Workers come to work at the Telegraph restaurant with COVID-19 symptoms. Two workers who ask to leave their shift early due to symptoms are told to stay at work; with one worker told to lower her mask so she can breathe easier. Workers at the store work in close contact with each other, including with those who have COVID-19 symptoms. Eventually, at least 25 people with connections to the stores (including workers, family members, and close contacts) test positive, including a baby who develops a 104-degree fever and convulsions.

May 25

Workers meet with FF$15 organizers

Maria Maldonando speaking — Photo Credit: FF$15

Seventeen workers meet with FF$15 over the phone to discuss strategies and voice their concerns. FF$15 organizers talk with workers about their rights and what they can do.

May 26

Work stoppage

McDonalds Closed - Covid Health Hazard — Photo Credit: FF$15

More than 20 workers refuse to show up for work, forcing the store to shut down.

May 28-29

Cal/OSHA and public health complaint

FF$15 files a complaint with the Alameda County Public Health Department. FF$15 helps workers file a Cal/OSHA complaint.

See Tips for Reporting Workplace Hazards to Cal/OSHA.

June 16

Lawsuit

Four workers and a worker’s child file a public nuisance lawsuit alleging that the restaurant’s management did not take sufficient precautions to protect its workers from COVID-19. They request that the employer be required to provide more protection from COVID-19.

June

Community Support

Workers receive community support through a coalition of community-based organizations. Allies set up a GoFund Me campaign to help workers cover their day-to-day expenses during the work stoppage.

Court issues restraining order

The court issues a temporary restraining order requiring that the store not open while the judge considers the plaintiff’s requests.

July 9

Judge rules in favor of the workers

A judge rules in favor of the workers and issues a further temporary restraining order requiring that the store meet 11 safety measures including: providing workers with “adequate and sufficient masks” and gloves, allowing employees to take sick leave that the employer is legally obligated to provide, sending home employees who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or are awaiting test results, and enforcing social distancing. The store is also ordered to provide wellness checks and accurate temperature testing and to give employees breaks every 30 minutes to wash their hands.

Everybody’s got a right to live — Photo credit: FF$15

July 13

Employer makes mandated changes

The Telegraph store reopens on July 13 after implementing the requirements in the temporary restraining order issued by the court. Workers receive training on the new protocols and agree to return.

June/August

Support for McDonald’s workers in other locations

Telegraph workers continue car caravan protests and support workers at other McDonald’s franchise and corporate stores who are also protesting lack of protections.