McDonald’s Workers Striking to Protest Sexual Harassment

"Workers at multiple franchises across ten U.S. cities have organized a single-day lunchtime strike on September 18 to pressure management to address pervasive sexual harassment and other labor abuses in the fast-food industry. Coordinated by women's committees at dozens of locations, organizers say the action—believed to be the first multi-state U.S. strike specifically against workplace sexual harassment—responds to high reported rates of abuse (a survey found 40% of female fast-food workers experience harassment) and to complaints filed with the EEOC by employees including Tanya Harrell of New Orleans and Kim Lawson of Kansas City, who allege inadequate managerial responses. The organizers are demanding clearer, enforced procedures for handling complaints, mandatory anti-harassment training, and creation of a national committee that includes leaders of women's groups, workers, and representatives from both corporate and franchise locations. The company has pointed to existing policies and training and plans to consult outside experts such as Seyfarth Shaw and RAINN, but a labor lawyer working with the complainants says there are no signs of meaningful change yet." - Chris Crowley