Workers at restaurant giant McDonald’s staged their first ever strike in the UK on Monday in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Here’s what’s going on.
Who’s striking?
#McStrike loving it in Cambridge impossible is nothing pic.twitter.com/Ul0EJigay8
— Ian Hodson (@IanBFAWU) September 4, 2017
Staff in Cambridge and Crayford, south-east London, walked out in a row over the use of zero-hours contracts and “inexplicably” low pay.
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) said the strike was being well supported.
Members of other trade unions joined early-morning picket lines outside the two restaurants, where around 40 workers are on strike. They’ll later attend a rally in Westminster.
What are the workers asking for?
Minimum wage 201725+ £7.5021-24 £7.0518-20 £5.60 Under 18 £4.05We work hard We deserve better. #McStrike
— Hungry for Justice (@FastfoodRights) September 2, 2017
There are calls for a wage of at least £10 an hour and more secure working hours.
McDonald’s said those taking action represented 0.01% of its workforce, adding that the dispute was related to its internal grievance procedures.
BFAWU national president Ian Hodson, speaking from the picket line in Cambridge, said members of the public were offering their support to the workers.
“McDonald’s has had countless opportunities to resolve grievances by offering workers a fair wage and acceptable working conditions.
“For far too long, workers in fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s have had to deal with poor working conditions, drastic cuts to employee hours, and even bullying in the workplace – viewed by many as a punishment for joining a union,” he said.
Stephanie: first #McWorker to walk out in 1st ever UK #McStrike Making history! #McSolidarity for £10 an hour, no zero hours, union rights pic.twitter.com/5nw3ZaA6P4
— Hungry for Justice (@FastfoodRights) September 3, 2017
What are people saying?
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn offered his backing when the strike was first announced, and has described the workers as “brave”.
I support McDonald’s workers who have balloted to strike for the first time in the UK over fair pay and conditions. https://t.co/TabOD9s95Q pic.twitter.com/7hL9dKBXX6
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 18, 2017
Corbyn said: “Our party offers support and solidarity to the brave McDonald’s workers, who are making history today.
“They are standing up for workers’ rights by leading the first ever strike at McDonald’s in the UK.
“Their demands – an end to zero-hours contracts by the end of the year, union recognition and a £10 per hour minimum wage – are just and should be met.”
McDonald’s, which employs around 85,000 staff in the UK and one million worldwide, announced in April that workers would be offered a choice of flexible or fixed contracts with minimum guaranteed hours, saying that 86% have chosen to stay on flexible contracts.
Outside McDonald's we're watching workers arrive from another London store to fill in for striking workers #McStrike
— Ellie Mae O'Hagan (@MissEllieMae) September 4, 2017
A company spokesman said: “We can confirm that, following a ballot process, the BFAWU has indicated that a small number of our people representing less than 0.01% of our workforce are intending to strike in two of our 1,270 UK restaurants.
“As per the terms of the ballot, the dispute is solely related to our internal grievance procedures and not concerning pay or contracts.
“As announced in April this year, together with our franchisees, we are providing our people with the option of a guaranteed hour contract, and all restaurants will have these contracts in place by the end of 2017.
“McDonald’s UK and its franchisees have delivered three pay rises since April 2016; this has increased the average hourly pay rate by 15%.
“We are proud of our people at McDonald’s, they are at the heart of all we do and we work hard to ensure that our teams are treated fairly. Our internal processes underpin that commitment.”