On July 9, more than 10 McDonald’s employees in Berkeley ended their strike to demand safer working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The strike included 33 other employees in Oakland, according to a GoFundMe page supporting the strikers. They demanded a two-week paid quarantine period, company-paid medical costs, training for COVID-19 safety practices, proper personal protective equipment and a deep cleaning of the store. The strikers also demanded the closing and sanitation of contaminated stores.

According to the GoFundMe page, 11 workers from the Downtown Berkeley McDonald’s store have tested positive for the disease, along with their family members, including a baby.

Despite the workers’ allegations, Larry Kamer, a spokesperson for Pavilions Management, which owns and operates the Shattuck Avenue McDonald’s, said the branch is safe.

“The restaurant has been deep-cleaned several times by a qualified outside contractor,” Kamer said in an email. “We are in close communication with the City of Berkeley and other authorities about best practices for keeping our customers and employees safe during this pandemic.”

He added that appropriate personal protective equipment — one of the strikers’ demands — was in place prior to the strike.

Kamer also said the strikers have been paid $15 an hour since October 2018, which was another demand, and are now paid $16.07 an hour.

According to the GoFundMe page, however, McDonald’s workers in other locations were allegedly told to make their own masks out of dog diapers and rubber bands prior to the strike. Management also allegedly offered coffee filters as personal protective equipment when supplies ran out.

“McDonald’s is treating us like dogs,” alleged worker Delia Vargas on the GoFundMe page. “We don’t want to die for their hamburgers so we are going on strike, to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”

During the strike, attendees held up 33 silhouettes, which represented each of the workers on strike. Quotes including “We are not dogs” were also painted on the silhouettes.

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín said he supports the workers’ abilities to advocate for safe and sanitary conditions.

“The City is actively monitoring McDonald’s and any business that has had positive COVID-19 cases and is providing resources to prevent further spread,” Arreguín said in an email. “People must feel safe in their work environment.”