August 11, 2021 – When a COVID-19 outbreak at the Telegraph Ave. McDonald’s restaurant in Oakland threatened workers and their families, four workers filed a public nuisance lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court and sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) to ensure that the restaurant implemented necessary safety measures. The court granted plaintiffs’ requested relief and issued a TRO on June 22, 2020; later continuing the TRO’s provisions on July 9, 2020, and converting the TRO to a preliminary injunction on August 13, 2020. In late July 2021, the parties reached a settlement agreement that resolves this litigation. The settlement continues the workplace safety measures for up to another year and establishes a health and safety committee. The committee, which will include the restaurant owner-operator, the restaurant’s general manager, and three crew members on a rotating basis, will meet on a monthly basis to discuss the protective measures required by the settlement, as well as any other measures that may be necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The committee will provide workers with a voice in addressing the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the need to ensure safe working conditions. The plaintiffs issued this statement regarding the historic settlement. For press coverage of the settlement, see here and here.