Up to 85 per cent of workers in retail, fast food outlets and restaurants have been verbally abused by customers, some even report being threatened and spat at.

Earlier this year, a group of teenagers spat at and physically threatened a McDonalds worker in Mandurah, making headlines across Western Australian mastheads.

Unions are talking about a harassment and abuse “epidemic” and are warning of the impact it can have on the physical and psychological health of retail workers.

Retail and Fast Food Workers Union secretary Josh Cullinan and SDA WA secretary Peter O’Keefe join Karl to talk about abuse and harassment in the industry.

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