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McDonald’s workers planning to strike Tuesday over sexual harassment

PITTSBURGH — McDonald’s workers in at least 10 cities plan to strike Tuesday, outraged over the company’s handling of cases of sexual harassment, including one in Bethel Park.

Walter Garner, who was a manager at a McDonald’s in Bethel Park, pleaded guilty last week to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who also worked at the fast-food restaurant. He was sentenced to 4-10 years in prison, plus probation.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of the girl claims McDonald’s failed to screen Garner, a convicted sex offender, before hiring him. He’s on the Megan’s Law website for life for sexually abusing a 10-year-old in the late 90s.

>>STORY: Lawyer of sexual assault victim blasts McDonald’s saying company hired registered sex offender

In yet another case, Garner pleaded guilty in 2003 to aggravated indecent assault.

Several lawsuits against McDonald’s are pending across the United States, claiming the fast-food chain improperly handles reports of sexual assault.

It’s unclear whether workers at any McDonald’s in the Pittsburgh area will participate in Tuesday’s strike.