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Florida McDonald's employees to strike after viral video of St. Petersburg colleague being attacked by customer

Posted at 8:57 AM, Jan 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-07 08:58:50-05

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A group of Florida fast workers are striking after a female colleague was attacked by a customer.

A viral video showsDaniel Taylor grabbing Yasmine James' shirt and attempting to pull her over the counter after he asked for a straw at a St. Petersburg McDonald's last week. James hit him several times in the face.

Taylor was charged with two counts of simple battery. Police say he kicked another worker as he was being escorted out.

The group Fight for $15 says it will strike during the Tuesday lunch rush to demand McDonald's and other fast-food chains protect workers from safety threats.

McDonald's employee Gail Rogers said in a statement that she is planning to strike because she doesn't feel safe on the job and that she and other employees are subjected to all types of behavior including armed robberies and sexual harassment.