Police are treating the fire as a suspected arson. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
Staff at a burnt-out McDonald's in Pakuranga in Auckland are still waiting to find out what will happen with their jobs, says the union representing fast food worker
The blaze broke out shortly before 3pm on Monday, causing significant damage and sending black smoke billowing across east Auckland.
All staff and customers were safely evacuated.
Police were treating the fire as a suspected arson.
Unite Union spokesperson Shanna Olsen-Reeder said they had received calls from some workers worried about their jobs.
"What our expectation would be is that the workers would have their current roster paid out, so they should have a week or two to go on that roster, and then our hope would be that they would be redeployed to close-by stores to continue their employment."
She said the store was a franchise.
"Our expectation would be that they would put a lot of effort into trying to redeploy people nearby into any other McDonald's stores."
Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
McDonald's spokesperson Simon Kenny said the company was working on next steps, but generally when a restaurant closed temporarily or permanently, staff were offered redeployment to other stores.
"Unfortunately, the McDonald's Pakuranga restaurant has suffered extensive damage due to a fire," he said.
"The emergency services have handed the site over to McDonald's, and our team is working to secure the site, and assess next steps with the plan to reopen the restaurant."
Kenny said staff were being offered support.
"We are also supporting the franchisee and his team, including through our employee assistance provider, Sonder, and will continue to work with impacted staff over the coming days and weeks."
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