The social distancing debacles witnessed outside fast food outlets is only half the story according to Unite Union.
“Members have been contacting us all day yesterday and today about the lack of physical distancing inside. It is supposed to be at least one metre at all times but that went out the window along with the first orders for many.” said National Secretary Gerard Hehir.
In one case, when an employee challenged his manager about the breach of Level 3 rules he was told he was not a “team player” and that speed was more important than social distancing.
The blatant breaches started even before Level 3. In this TVNZ news clip about all the safety precautions being taken workers can clearly be seen in the background completely ignoring social distancing rules. Under Level 4 they should have been 2 metres apart – they were not even one metre.
It should be no surprise that if such carelessness is shown in public that behind the closed doors even worse is taking place.
Unite sent a list of concerns last week to all the companies we deal with (McDonalds, RBL – KFC, Carl’s Jr & Pizza Hut, Wendys and Burger King), as well as releasing it publicly This clearly outlined the potential breaches that we have now seen.
There were three major issues raised. The first was the clear lack of 2 metre physical distancing with customers at the drive-through windows. Only Wendys got it right with a simple solution of a table where orders can be placed and the window slid shut before the car driver winds their window down and takes the food. None of the other companies would adopt this simple and safe method. Instead workers are required to hand food directly to customers in breach of level 3 rules. “Barriers” at drive-through windows are mostly worse than useless. They don’t protect against airborne droplets and actually force workers to bend down closer to customers to see and hand out food.
The second issue was accepting cash. RBL and Wendys have said no cash, Burger King says it is ensuring cash handling doesn’t lead to cross contamination while McDonalds solution was disposable gloves. Change handled by earlier customers is being handed out with ready to eat food – the problem and the solution is blindingly obvious.
The third issue was physical distancing in the stores not being possible, or being breached because the employer wants orders processed quicker. Within a few hours those concerns came true.
Unite’s main ongoing concern is the workers inside being forced to break physical distancing rules, between themselves and with customers. Unite has been sending reports to Worksafe and will continue to do so daily, as well as to the companies concerned.
“But, as we have all seen today, the companies are simply not doing what they promised and what is required by law. The government and Worksafe need to step up. Ticking checkboxes on paper plans is not enough.”
“McDonald’s told us their drive through practice, where they breach physical distancing requirements, was approved by Worksafe. We have asked Worksafe for confirmation, but have received nothing.”
“Yesterday we sent multiple complaints to Worksafe with photo and video evidence of fast food restaurants breaching level 3 requirements. We haven’t heard back from Worksafe regarding those breaches. If we are going to ease restrictions, then surely for the safety of everyone, the new rules should be strictly enforced. Where are Worksafe?”
“All of these stores have sophisticated camera systems inside and out. Worksafe can quickly audit, spot check and verify complaints by requiring the companies to give them access to these systems as required. If these employers are following their own plans and the Level 3 requirements then they should have no problem giving Worksafe access to the footage. That needs to happen now.”
“Small takeaway, cafe or restaurant owners that haven’t opened will be gutted looking at those pictures today, wondering why they are missing out on income while large chains flagrantly breach the rules. How is it that these large chains, with all their supposed systems and processes have managed to cock this up so badly and what is the government going to do about it?”
Good on them, more civil disobedience required.There is no community transmission.
5 if us all sat round on site yesterday and had fish n chips, all dipping our hands into the salty, semi greasy packet opened before us,ust like the good old days, and having a great old yarn, about this new phenomenon where, humans die, its unheard of in our history.
Keep hiding in your homes, in fact never ever leave and have any interaction with any other humans ever again.
And who will be screaming if the infection rate increases and the country goes back to level 4 instead of level 2?
Not me as I will ignore it, so I guess it will be you and the other alarmists Like I said stay home for the rest of your life, do not leave, do not socialize, do not hug your relatives, dont touch any surfaces that may harbour a virus or germ.
Got some spare Hazchem suits if you need them.
You do realise the risk of high rates of community transmission was averted by going into lockdown in the first place, right?
Right….so how were people in the last weeks of a full lockdown being infected Jase?
You do realise that to gain herd immunity even with a vaccine (they will never create) we have too become infected for our immune system to kick in
Another mindless sTRUMPet who feels entitled to the benefits of the sacrifices and efforts of others that have bought the country down to single digit new cases. It is a pity that those who hold such views can’t be provided with an expedited (and permanent) trip to a Covid-19 hotspot where self-entitlement is working really well. The reality is that there was only one case in Wuhan four months ago – the match that lit the fire.
So is that a no to the Hazchem suit then? Jase what about you?
Fish n chip Friday tomorrow, woo hoo.
Entitlement?
We had our human rights revoked! Because our on so-called leaders made the mistake of letting covid 19 in!
They balls up & we all pay the cost!?
Some sacrifice worthy of the Inca
The entitlement tag belongs to those travelers who introduced the disease here at the start, while it is plainly obvious that you would complain about whatever the coalition government does complaining about a policy to stop harm from coronavirus because it has been so successful is not clever. tell us what other option would have been better, don’t fantasize about Australia, their transmission rate is still over 1 so they can expect 6 to 12 months of restrictions with a fer breakout clusters along the way while our transmission rate is under 0.4 so another month with the same progress will see almost normal life for us apart from obvious border restrictions.
I think the screamers have over played their hand quite frankly!
Tuck in Pedro! lol
Stop screaming then! A significant majority are prepared to quietly make a fer compromises to do it right the first time rather than risk subsequent L4 lockdowns.
This is proof that we should go to level 2 NOW because it is not being adhered to anyway.
I see this all the time walking around the streets.
or shut the offending stores as a warning to others….
What Work Safe should do is shut down the offending outlets immediately. After all, it is a deadly disease that brought the world to a standstill.
Start fining them too! For Health & Safety breaches! It aint rocket science!
Eating fast food is worse than social distancing. Seriously, WOW. Oh and where is the vaccine for diabetes and obesity? Can we work feverishly on that first so healthy people do not need to be shot up for the sake of them?
It wastes $1 billion of Health Care every year treating diabetes …
So what’s the alternative Danny?
Here are three possible options Danny?
Voluntary euthanasia?
State-sanctioned euthanasia?
Let Covid-19 run rampant euthanasia?
Depends on which political party, or coalition you favour?
Go out on the streets, lock down is effectively over the way people are behaving ♂️
Stop screaming then! A significant majority are prepared to quietly make a few compromises to do it right the first time rather than risk subsequent L4 lockdowns.
I commented on the true state of affairs, MB censors to protect Jacinda.
Can we nominate people to volunteer Mike?
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