(KRON) — An Oakland McDonald’s was shut down by the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health on Friday.
“[McDonald’s] has some sanitation issues, and they need to clean up,” an Alameda health official told KRON.
Images obtained by NewsNation affiliate KRON showed both dead and live rats were seen at the McDonald’s at 1330 Jackson St. in Oakland.
“It’s disgusting, and then workers were told by their employers that if they said anything, they could be fired,” Maria Maldonado, a longtime worker at the McDonald’s and California Fast Food Workers Union Statewide Director, told KRON4.
Workers at the fast food restaurant were striking due to the rat infestation on Thursday, the California Fast Food Workers Union said on X. The union said workers of the McDonald’s were warned that they would be fired if they documented the rats.
“I have accidentally touched rat feces because it’s so prevalent in the store. Rather than fixing the problem, our managers told us, ‘Do not take photos or videos inside the store, or you will receive a warning or be dismissed,'” said Oscar, a worker at the store.
Media shared by the union shows workers outside the store chanting in Spanish and holding up signs.
It’s very important to me as a small business owner in Oakland that my employees have a safe place to work. When we became aware of the issue, we immediately contacted pest control and continued to work with them to address the issue.
Joseph Wong, Franchise Owner/Operator
Another strike is happening at El Pollo Loco at 2506 International Blvd. in Oakland, where the union says “There are hazards of fire, flooding, and “possible electrocution.” El Pollo Loco workers in Milpitas, Los Angeles and San Diego have gone on strike this week as well.
KRON4 reached out to El Pollo Loco for comment and is awaiting a response.