Black Man Sues Mcdonald’S

Tue., June 30, 1998

From Staff

A black former employee is suing McDonald’s Corp. and the manager of a suburban outlet of the fast-food chain, alleging he was subjected to hostile and demeaning working conditions in his seven months there.

The lawsuit filed by Dale Simmons, 18, in U.S. District Court names Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald’s and the manager of its store in south suburban Federal Way, Wash., where he worked from October 1996 to April 1997.

The complaint seeks unspecified damages for racial discrimination, violation of state wage-and-hour laws for minors and wrongful termination.

Simmons says he was once hosed down with cold water by a white co-worker and was subjected to other forms of harassment.

A minor during the period at issue, Simmons contends he was required to work more than 20 hours a week and to work past 10 p.m. on weeknights, requirements that violate state labor laws for minors, according to the lawsuit. He also says he was threatened with termination unless he worked shifts he was scheduled to have off.

Officials at McDonald’s regional office in Kirkland declined comment, citing the pending lawsuit.

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