Ex-Winnipeg McDonald's employee accuses chain of unsafe grills in lawsuit

A former employee of a Winnipeg McDonald's restaurant is suing the fast food chain and franchise owners for wrongful dismissal.

Fifty-year-oldWinnipeg residentAngelito Bernardosaid in his statement of claim he was fired for complaining about grills he said were leaking gas.

He is now suing McDonald's Canada and the McCullough Family Restaurants Inc.,owners of the franchise location at 1186 Main St. where he worked.

In 2015, Bernardosaid he notified management grills in the restaurant were "leaking gas, were prone to fire or explosion, and were therefore unsafe and unfit for continued operation," said court documents.

According to Bernardo, he recommended his boss shut down the grills for repairs. The defendants refusedand instead terminated Bernardo'sjob, hesaid.

Bernardo allegeshe was fired without just cause and without notice and has since suffered mental and financial repercussions.

Bernardo said he has lost income and career opportunities McDonald's Canada and McCullough Family Restaurants have refused to give Bernardo a letter of reference to help him find another job.

Bernardo is seeking damages for unlawful dismissal, mental distress, his legal costsand for other reparations.

McDonald's Canada said in a written statement it has been notified of Bernardo's claim and because it is a litigation matter, it would be "inappropriate to offer comments at this time."

• Temporary foreign worker agency Actyl Group sues McDonald's Canada