09/07/2007
A trade unionist has been fired from a Rome outlet of the global fast food giant McDonald's after raising safety concerns. The union FILCAMS-CGIL is organising action to contest the recent dismissal of the union leader. Global foodworkers' union federation IUF says the union representative, employed at the unit for 16 years, 'had denounced the inadequate kitchen ventilation, intolerable psychological pressure on employees and the lack of training, especially on health and safety, which have resulted in many incidents.' It added: 'The IUF supports the union's efforts to force McDonald's to respect the rights of their employees and to oppose the dismissal of their union leader. Should the situation escalate, the IUF will call on affiliates to actively join the campaign.' This is not that first safety protest involving workers from Italian McDonald's outlets. Workers took strike action in 2000 over the 'intimidatory climate' at the firm, with employees in Rome complaining of 'inhuman working conditions, a ban on drinking or going to the bathroom during working time, timed work tasks, non-paid overtime hours and notification of shifts just with a day's notice.'

• FILCAMS-CGIL press release
• The HESA Newsletter article: 'Take-away food, throw-away jobs'