New York - McDonald's workers in 19 cities have filed complaints over burns from popping grease, a lack of protective equipment and other workplace hazards, according to labour organisers.
The complaints are the latest move in an ongoing campaign to win pay of $15 an hour and unionisation for fast-food workers by publicly pressuring McDonald's to come to the bargaining table. The push is being spearheaded by the Service Employees International Union and began more than two years ago. Already, it has included protests around the country and lawsuits alleging workers weren't given their rightful pay.
The burns and other hazards were detailed in complaints announced on Monday and filed with US Occupational Safety and Health Administration in recent weeks. Workers cite a persistent lack of gloves for handling hot equipment and say they have been burned while cleaning grills that have to be kept on. One worker says he was told by a manager to "put mayonnaise on it, you'll be good".