Posted: April 4th, 2011 - 2:36pm by Doug Powell

Fresh off the firing of seven union workers protesting for sick days at Jimmy John’s in Minnesota, 25 people rallied outside a Connecticut McDonald’s last week in support paid sick days with slogans like, "No boogers in my burgers."

Holding signs with slogans including, "No coughing in our coffee," protesters called on the company to support paid sick days legislation for public health and low-wage workers.

The Trefz Corp., which owns 43 McDonald's restaurants in Connecticut and New York, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is in favor of paid sick days and a bill that would require businesses with 50 or more employees to provide an hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked has been reported out of committee.

One recent study published by the Journal of Food Protection found that one in eight food service workers reported coming to work sick twice in the last year, with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.