KFC workers, in particular at Sixth Avenue, Barataria, are fed up of being abused by customers and are sending a clear message to all would-be abusers that if they dare to assault them that they would receive a hot oil bath. The threat came yesterday when the T&T Guardian visited the branch after one of its workers doused a 38-year-old Malick man with a pot of hot oil after he allegedly slapped her on Monday afternoon.
One worker, who wished not to be identified, said: “We are sending a message to all customers who want to violate...come we have thing here for you. We fed up being victimised.” According to a fellow employee and eyewitness, Shameek Gonzales came to the establishment around 1.45 pm on Monday and ordered a sandwich. The witness was not sure which of the two sandwiches offered by the fast food outlet the man ordered.
The witness, who opted not to be named for fear of victimisation, said when the cashier told him to hold on while she went to check, the man became irate and began verbally abusing her. She added that the man threatened to slap the woman who has been employed at the outlet less than a year. The cashier told him, she said, to “go ahead if your name is Earl.” The woman was then struck with a stack of KFC paper bags acrosss the face. The man then left.
The cashier, who lives at Sea Lots, went to the back of the outlet where they fried the chicken, dipped out a pot of hot oil and went to Gonzales who was about to enter his car. After dousing Gonzales, he struck his attacker and the two began fighting. Police, who were passing in the area, had to intervene and rescue the 32-year-old mother who has been arrested and is expected to appear in court today.
Gonzales was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated for burns to his left chest, left arm and right forearm. When the T&T Guardian visited him yesterday he said he would not speak of the matter until he consulted his attorney as he planned to take legal action against the fast food franchise. One customer told the T&T Guardian Gonzales was deserving of his injuries. The woman, who identified herself only as Arlene, also works in the customer service industry.
She said: “Some customers are like the devil. I give them right. Some customers here feel because they buying, they right. Not all the time customers right. If we go in their workplace and get on so they would coast.” Another customer, who was listening while Arlene spoke, passed and said it was good for Gonzales.
Other abuse
The KFC employee said Monday’s incident was not the first and would not be the last. She said only a few weeks ago a pregnant employee was doused with a full cup of juice by a female customer. “I think it is real nonsense what does happen here. Customers does come and abuse us... it real ridiculous. They always threatening to pelt or do us something,” she added.
The woman said following Monday’s incident she feared that nothing much would be done to protect employees. She said the guard on duty at the time watched the entire incident and did nothing. She said she was doubtful the layout of KFC outlets would be changed to accommodate protective glass or any other protective measures against abusive customers. “I not standing up here and taking no lash. He (Gonzales) deserved it. I don't think it is fair that she get charged.”
“He had no right to hit her. You have no children working here. Your wife not working here,” the upset woman said.