Activists Call Out McDonald’s For Grease Burns Allegedly Sustained By Employees

19 Workers Have Filed Complaints With OSHA Across U.S. Regarding Burns

By
Chuck Quirmbach/WPR

Protesters gathered outside a suburban Milwaukee McDonald’s restaurant on Tuesday as part of a national labor campaign publicizing grease burns suffered by McDonald’s workers.

Former McDonald’s employee Marielle Crowley said during his seven years at the fast food restaurant, he would often sustain injuries to his arm.

“I have a burn on my arm and that’s about three, four months old. And different marks and scratches, you know, appear on your body. At first it doesn’t take a toll, but when it’s constantly happening, you know, it gets to the point where where it’s like, you’re working for $7.25 and you’re getting abused while you’re at work,” he said.

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In 19 cities around the U.S., McDonald’s employees have filed complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as part of an effort by the Service Employees International Union to organize fast food workers and get their pay raised to $15 an hour.

McDonald’s told the Associated Press this week that the firm will review the safety allegations, but also criticized the labor activists.