San José Fast Food Workers Rally Against Wage Theft and Poor Conditions: A Call for Change | KQED

Erika Medina has worked in the fast food industry for 16 years, but now she finds herself uncertain about her family’s future after losing her job. She recently joined a walkout to protest poor working conditions, including a broken air conditioning system that made the kitchen unbearable, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 91 degrees. “We deserve better conditions,” she said through an interpreter.

In response to her claims, the California Fast Food Workers Union filed a wage theft complaint with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office and reported excessive heat conditions to Cal/OSHA. They took further action on Sept. 8 by filing an unfair labor practice complaint against WKS Restaurant Corporation, which operates the El Pollo Loco where Medina worked, alleging that they unlawfully discriminated against employees for participating in union activities.

Maria Maldonado, the statewide director for the California Fast Food Workers Union, voiced concerns about a pattern of retaliation from the management. “Employers need to listen to their workers,” she insisted. “These workers worry about their health and the community’s health.” The fast food industry employs over 630,000 people in California, with a majority being adult women of color, particularly Latinas. According to the union’s data, more than 60% are Latina.

At a rally where workers protested in San José, Councilmember Domingo Candelas voiced his support. “I know the fight isn’t easy,” he said, recalling his own background as the son of Mexican immigrants. He urged local lawmakers to advance the “Fast Food Fair Work Law,” which aims to provide rights training for the county’s more than 26,000 fast food employees.

Protests like this highlight a growing trend of workers advocating for better conditions. Recent surveys have shown that 70% of fast food workers in California feel they endure unsafe working conditions, according to a study by the Economic Policy Institute. This growing awareness and activism suggest a shift in how workers are asserting their rights in an industry known for high turnover and low pay.

As support for these movements builds, it is clear that changes are needed. Workers are calling for reforms to ensure that their rights and health are protected, not just for themselves but for future generations as well.

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