Hindley St McDonald’s forced to install safety screens after union complaint

A CBD McDonald’s has been forced by SafeWork SA to install bank-style security screens, after the union complained about “years” of violence toward staff.

Hindley Street McDonald’s has been forced to put in place extra safety measures to protect its workers after a complaint by the Shoppies union.

SafeWork SA directed the Adelaide CBD Macca’s to install perspex safety screens after the SDA union lodged a complaint about abuse from customers.

The SDA alleged McDonald’s did not have adequate measures to keep its staff safe after threatening incidents at the global giant.

SDA secretary Josh Peak called the screens a “significant improvement” in safety.

“McDonald’s Hindley Street is a hotbed for violence and abuse and it’s great to see SafeWork SA act to keep workers safe,” Mr Peak said.

“I think it potentially sets a new standard for safety in the fast food sector and across the convenience sector as well.”

Hindley Street McDonald’s workers behind the newly installed plastic screens at the store. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Adelaide woman arrested after jumping counter at Hindley St McDonald’s, helping self to food and drinks.

Adelaide woman arrested after jumping counter at Hindley St McDonald’s, helping self to food and drinks,

The location has been the subject of multiple incidents, including one in December 2022, when a northern-suburbs woman, 19, was arrested.

Video of the incident shows the woman throwing a bottle at staff and taking food and drinks from behind the counter.

The union said it had been concerned about the site for five years, especially after McDonald’s removed a security guard on “high-risk evenings”.

But it “really boiled over” when a worker was spat at, Mr Peak said.

He accused McDonald’s Hindley Street of “doing the wrong thing” and failing to take steps to ensure worker safety, especially given many were younger.

“McDonald’s have a special status of the biggest employer of young Australians,” he said.

“I think we all expect more of the largest employer of young Australians … and we as a community have a right to hold McDonald’s to a special standard and say you should be doing everything you can to keep your worker’s safe. They’ve failed to do so here.”

Mr Peak said there was still risk for employees given the high level of intoxicated patrons that visit the store.

SDA Secretary Josh Peak said the screens should have been implemented earlier. Picture: Kelly Barnes

He said the union would continue to keep an eye on the store and “continue to hold them to account”.

The secretary said he understood duress alarms had also been installed.

“I think we all expect McDonald’s to do everything they can to keep their workers safe.”

Mr Peak said the union expected McDonald’s stores across the state to review their sites.

The union has also received reports of young children getting behind the counter at the fast-food stores, resulting in doors being added.

“This isn’t just a worker safety issue, it’s a community safety issue,” he said.

“We think McDonald’s should respond quickly here and produce their risk assessments.”

The union secretary said safety measures should have been put in place earlier.

“It shouldn’t take an intervention by the union and SafeWork SA for them to start taking safety seriously,” Mr Peak said.

“This problem isn’t just isolated to this store – we need to see all fast-food chains adopt a zero-tolerance approach to customer abuse.”

“We’re going to be visiting all fast food outlets and working with workers in each of those sites to understand how risk those establishments are,” he said.