CHICAGO _ Fifteen McDonald's workers from eight states have filed charges against the world's largest burger chain and some of its franchisees, alleging they were victims of sexual harassment on the job, backers of the Fight for $15 movement announced Wednesday.
Complaints have been filed on behalf of each worker with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the group said.
In one complaint highlighted by the group, Kristi Maisenbach, a former McDonald's worker in Folsom, Calif., alleged that her supervisor "grabbed (her) breasts on several occasions" and rubbed up against her. The complaint alleges the same supervisor became "hostile" when Maisenbach complained to a general manager.
She said that as a result of her complaint, her hours were cut and the situation led her to quit.
In another, Cycei Monae, who worked at a McDonald's in Flint, Mich., said she was verbally and physically assaulted by her supervisor on a daily basis. Monae said she reported the incidents to her manager and to an official at McDonald's corporate, but quit after "nothing was done."
Fight for $15 officials said that the issue of "pervasive sexual harassment among fast-food workers" had come to their attention as they talked to workers over the last several years.
The Fight for $15 movement, which is backed by the Service Employees International Union, began in 2012. The group has organized protests and strikes across the country to put pressure on McDonald's and other fast-food companies to improve their pay and working conditions. McDonald's, headquartered in suburban Chicago, has been a main target of the group because of its size and scale. It is the second-largest restaurant chain by locations, behind Subway, although McDonald's dwarfs Subway in sales.
"There is no place for harassment and discrimination of any kind in McDonald's restaurants or in any workplace," McDonald's said in a statement. "We take any concerns seriously and are reviewing the allegations."
The EEOC said the agency is "strictly prohibited by law from confirming or denying the existence of discrimination charge filings, investigations or administrative resolutions," a spokeswoman said.
The cases backed by Fight for $15 include 14 franchised stores and one corporate-operated location. Fight for $15 said protests will be staged in about three dozen cities Thursday during lunchtime to raise awareness of the issue.
