Maria Ruiz said she lost her job this summer at San Jose McDonald’s after reporting a COVID-19 violation and refusing to work in unsafe conditions.
According to complaints filed with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Cal / OSHA and the Labor Workforce and Development, many others like them have lost their jobs, are harassed or have to endure silence because their employers ignore daily health and safety guidelines. Is. Agency.
Ruth Silver Taube, a San Jose attorney who is an employee of the Complaints Line for the Wage Theft Coalition, a group of local nonprofits and community organizations, said she has heard numerous horrific stories from workers, many calling her in tears because they were afraid for her. . For jobs and their health.
The Wage Theft Coalition, fighting for $ 15 and other organizations supporting workers have reported disproportionate amounts of safety complaints from employees at the Santa Clara County fast-food chain.
At least seven complaints have been filed against the Santa Clara County fast-food chain. The letter, sent by Fight for $ 15 and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to the Board of Supervisors, identifies more than 100 complaints across the state, with numerous more likely.
Complaints include lack of hot water for hand washing, failure to apply social distance, failure to disinfect regularly touched surfaces, employment of workers with visible COVID-19 characteristics and more.
McDonald’s, which allegedly fired Ruiz on 2040 North First Street in San Jose, closed this fall.
Santa Clara County has no law or public health order that explicitly prohibits retaliation against workers who report coward-related health and safety violations. But a proposal put before the board on November 17 by supervisor Cindy Chavez could change that.
“No matter where you work in the county, you need to have the ability to find your health and the health and well-being of your colleagues and your customers,” Chavez said.
A complaint states that San Jose McDonald’s management allowed employees to work with visible COVID-19 symptoms and failed to report employees who came across two COVID-positive colleagues. The complaint states that management did not tell employees that employees were entitled to pay their sick leave or that they were forced to pay expos rent leave.
In another complaint, management at Jack’s in Bux, Milpitas, fired an employee who complied with a home-stay quarantine order after testing positive for COVD-19. The employee did not receive a quarantine or sick pay and was not notified to coworkers, the complaint said. The restaurant manager was not available to respond to requests for comment.
Supervisors will develop workplace safety protocols related to COVID-19 and focus on ways to ensure employers comply.
They will consider a study of working conditions in the fast-food industry, and a study of how restaurant operators ’decisions affect employees and the public.
“It’s really important that workers are safe because they are essential workers who risk their lives,” Silver Toube said. “It’s also important for all of us because when businesses don’t comply, consumers are at risk. COVID-19 is exploding right now, and we all have to do our part. “
Employees concerned about COVID-19 can call them via this link or call (408) 961-5500.
The Board of Supervisors meets on November 17 at 9.30am. The agenda and related documents can be found here. See seat here.
Contact Madeleine Reese [email protected] And follow it Medellinjiris.
