Fast-food workers urge Council to pass ordinance on scheduling, safety and paid sick leave

Dozens of public speakers at the Feb. 26 Los Angeles City Council meeting called on the Council to place and pass an ordinance for fast-food workers that would guarantee predictable schedules, training and paid sick leave.

“At McDonald's here in Los Angeles, I’m asking you to support the fast-food ordinance to make sure every employee knows their rights,” said Amalia Ramírez during the public comment period. “Hasta ahora no conocía que nuestros derechos, así que por eso estamos pidiendo que ustedes pongan en la agenda esta moción sobre la comida rápida.”

Anisha Williams, who identified herself as a fast-food worker and a single mother, told the Council she faces unpredictable hours and sudden cuts to her schedule. “We need sustainable schedules, we need predictable hours and paid time to rest,” Williams said. “I am a single mom without stable housing and working for a multi‑billion dollar company.”

Alejandra Aguilar Pérez, another worker who said she also is a single parent, urged training to help employees deal with customers under the influence and workplace violence, and asked the Council for paid sick and rest days.

Speakers asked the Council to include workplace safety training, predictable scheduling, and paid sick leave in the proposed ordinance. The public comment period noted that the matter is on Council’s agenda for consideration and multiple speakers asked for the Council to vote in favor.

The transcript records the public comments and the speakers’ appeals; the Council’s formal action on an ordinance was not recorded in the public portion of the transcript excerpt.