‘Get the ghetto out of the store’: McDonald’s sued for firing black employees

MACCA’S is facing a discrimination lawsuit after a franchisee fired 15 black employees, amid allegations of “rampant racial and sexual harassment”.

FILE - This Oct. 14, 2009 file shows the red and yellow signs with the trademark golden arches of a McDonald's in Pittsburgh. An ad by the world’s biggest hamburger chain that aired during the NFL playoffs and Golden Globes Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, featured signs outside McDonald’s restaurants, including messages of support after devastating events. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

MCDONALD’S is facing a discrimination lawsuit after a franchisee fired more than a dozen employees because they needed to “get the ghetto out of the store”.

The lawsuit, filed in the District Court in the US state of Virginia, alleges that staff at a number of McDonald’s restaurants operated by the same franchisee were subjected to “rampant racial and sexual harassment” by senior supervisors.

The 10 plaintiffs — nine African American and one Hispanic — claim supervisors complained “there are too many black people in the store”, called African American workers “bitch”, “ghetto” and “ratchet”, and called Hispanic workers “dirty Mexican”.

African American employees were disciplined for rule infractions that were forgiven when committed by white employees, it is alleged.

They also accuse the white supervisors of inappropriately touching female employees on their legs and buttocks, sending female employees sexual pictures, and soliciting sexual relations from female employees.

The stores in the Virginia towns of South Boston and Clarksville were taken over by the franchisee, Soweva Co., at the end of 2013. At the time, the majority of the employees were African American.

According to the complaint, soon after taking control Soweva “implemented a plan to reduce the number of African American employees and hire more white employees”.

Soweva owner Michael Simon allegedly explained to workers that “the ratio was off” in the stores and he wanted the ratio to be “equal”.

Supervisors told employees it was “too dark” in the restaurants, and that they would hire different workers because they “need to get the ghetto out of the store”, the plaintiffs allege.

They claim that before implementing the plan, one supervisor said to another, “Now we can get rid of the n*****s and the Mexicans.”

A “large number of white employees” were hired in March 2014, and in May about 15 African American employees were terminated, according to the complaint. When asked why, Mr Simon allegedly told them they were good workers but “didn’t fit the profile” of his organisation.

The sacked workers complained to McDonald’s Corporate but say nothing was done. They are seeking compensation for discrimination and harassment suffered from McDonald’s Corporate, Soweva and Mr Simon.

A McDonald’s US spokesperson said in a statement to news.com.au: “We have not seen the lawsuit, and cannot comment on its allegations, but will review the matter carefully.

“McDonald’s has a long-standing history of embracing the diversity of employees, independent Franchisees, customers and suppliers, and discrimination is completely inconsistent with our values. McDonald’s and our independent owner-operators share a commitment to the well-being and fair treatment of all people who work in McDonald’s restaurants.”

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Originally published as ‘Get the ghetto out of the store’: McDonald’s sued for firing black employees