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A BRITISH McDonald’s worker flew to the US for protests against what her union says is a culture of sexual harassment at the fast-food chain today.
Christine Hayes from south London joined workers who have also reported sexual harassment while working at the corporate giant, outside the company’s HQ in Chicago.
McDonald's has a sexual harassment problem! Pls RT to show your support for Christine who is in Chicago speaking out about sexual harassment at McDonald's HQ #MeToo #McStrike #Fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/9GGn0mihrg
— The McStrike! (@FastfoodRights) May 21, 2019
Ms Hayes said that it was time for McDonald’s to “stop ignoring this problem and act.” Ms Hayes — who raised a grievance over sexual harassment at the chain — told workers who have been harassed that “we believe you and we are on your side.”
She said: “By coming together in a union we can have the power to create change in our working environment. It’s time to say ‘no more’ to sexual harassment.
“Nobody should have to go to work and be told to ‘put up’ with sexual harassment or told ‘you better have evidence’ by their manager, like I was.
“I’m going to McDonald’s HQ because I want them to recognise that they have a problem and must act to solve it. I don’t want anyone to experience what I went through. It’s the least you can expect, that when you go to work you are safe.”
Ms Hayes is a member of the bakers’ union BFAWU, whose McStrike movement organised the first McDonald’s strikes in British history. They are calling for a £10 per hour minimum wage and guaranteed work hours, as well as the right to union representation.
BFAWU president Ian Hodson said: “Complaints get swept under the carpet and workers are often victimised for raising these issues.”
Mr Hodson said the company deals with sexual harassment by moving abusive managers from one store to another, and compensating workers on the condition that they sign non-disclosure agreements.