ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – A group of Florida fast food workers plans to strike after a female colleague was attacked by a customer.
A viral video shows Daniel Taylor grabbing Yasmine James’ shirt and attempting to pull her over the counter after he asked for a straw at a St. Petersburg McDonald’s last week. James hit him several times in the face.
Taylor was charged with two counts of simple battery. Police say he kicked another worker as he was being escorted out.
The group Fight for $15 says it will strike during the Tuesday lunch rush to demand McDonald’s and other fast-food chains protect workers from safety threats.
“No one should have to fear for their own safety when they report to work each day, but it’s very clear I’m not safe at McDonald’s,” said Gail Rogers, one of the McDonald’s workers planning to strike Tuesday. “I’m going on strike because at McDonald’s, we’re subjected to all types of behavior that has no place at work – from physical attacks and armed robberies to sexual harassment to racial discrimination. We won’t back down until McDonald’s takes responsibility for protecting all workers on the job.”
The group also wants McDonald’s to provide training for employees and managers to handle violence in the workplace.
