EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2026) — Employees at the Taco Bell restaurant on Park Drive in El Dorado Hills staged a strike Monday afternoon, accusing management of racist harassment, physical intimidation and unsafe working conditions that they say threaten both workers and customers.
Around 3 p.m., a group of cooks and cashiers stood outside the fast-food restaurant holding picket signs and speaking with passersby and customers about what they described as a “nightmare” work environment. Workers allege that repeated complaints to management and state agencies have gone unaddressed, prompting the walkout.
“We have been subjected to ongoing verbal racist threats and abuse, including being called ‘stupid’ and ‘f***ing Mexicans,’”
said one employee, quoting from the written complaint filed with state authorities.
“This isn’t just our fight. This is for every other fast food worker who might be going through the same abuse.”
The employees are represented by the California Fast Food Workers Union, part of the Service Employees International Union, and are working with attorneys from legal advocacy group Legal Aid at Work. According to a union advisory, workers filed a formal complaint with Cal/OSHA alleging harassment, physical intimidation and conditions that violate workplace health and safety standards.
In the complaint, employees — including long-time workers Isabel Borges Ramirez and Gabriela Flores Carpio — said they endured repeated racist insults from a store manager and witnessed retaliation after reporting workplace concerns. One incident outlined in the Cal/OSHA filing alleges the manager punched a wall so forcefully that his knuckles bled.
Beyond allegations of harassment, employees also raised food safety concerns, claiming sightings of rodents and roaches in both the kitchen and customer areas, and asserting that undercooked or spoiled food has been served. These assertions are included in the Cal/OSHA complaint, according to union attorneys.
Despite repeated attempts to address conditions internally, workers said they felt compelled to protest after inaction from Taco Bell corporate and franchise management. They also allege that workers who raised concerns were retaliated against with demotions and cuts in hours.
Cal/OSHA has the authority to inspect workplaces following complaints and can issue citations for violations of state health and safety regulations. The California Civil Rights Department also reviews allegations of racial discrimination and hostile work environments. Union representatives say complaints have been filed with both agencies and could prompt independent investigations.
Taco Bell management at the El Dorado Hills location declined to comment when contacted by media outlets. Corporate representatives have not issued a public statement addressing the allegations as of press time.
