Content Warning: This email contains a story of sexual assault. If you've experienced sexual harassment or assault while working in the fast-food industry, call (844) 384-4495 for help.
John,
I was trapped.
He told me I had a "big butt" and a "nice body." He told me I should leave my boyfriend. He was a manager at the McDonald's I worked at. I felt there was nothing I could do to make him stop.
I only made $8.75/hr. It's hard enough just to survive and provide for my daughter. But I had nowhere to go because my paycheck kept us alive. I felt alone.
But I wasn't alone. Sexual harassment at McDonald's is systemic, with workers like me being exploited around the world – from France to Brazil, Colombia to Australia, Chile to the U.K. Today workers like me are rising up across the world to say clearly: no more.
We won't let McDonald's get away with this. We need a union so we can stand together against corporations like McDonald's that ignore sexual harassment in their stores. We need union rights to make sure we are protected from bosses who exploit and abuse us.
When I started working at McDonald's, there was no mention of sexual harassment training. No phone number to call. I was on my own.
So no, I wasn't surprised when former CEO Steve Easterbook left the job after he had three inappropriate sexual relationships with staff. If the head of a company like McDonald's feels free to take advantage of his position and power, why wouldn't my manager?
Stand with worker-survivors today and demand that companies like McDonald's take our safety as seriously as they take their bottom line.
In solidarity,
Kim Lawson
Former McDonald's Worker
Kansas City
Fight for $15 and a Union
|
