McDonald's workers hail support for strike in pay row
Workers at five McDonald's restaurants have walked out on strike in a dispute over pay and union recognition.
Staff in Manchester, Cambridge, Crayford, south-east London, and two branches in Watford, formed picket lines as part of the action.
This was the moment Blaz Mesner started the #MayDay#McStrike by walking out of McDonald's in #Manchesterpic.twitter.com/wZ4tzKbHQd
-- The McStrike! (@FastfoodRights) May 1, 2018
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union is seeking formal recognition from the US fast food giant as well as campaigning for a £10-an-hour minimum wage and an end to lower rates for younger workers.
A union spokesman said members of the public, trade unionists, Labour Party members and others have been offering support to the strikers.
Solidarity to everyone out on #McStrike today. Keep fighting, keep winning! #MayDaypic.twitter.com/rJYFNmZJiD
-- Frances O'Grady (@FrancesOGrady) May 1, 2018
Lewis Baker, a McDonald's worker from Crayford, said: "Every message of support builds our confidence as we demand a fair wage and respect for the job."
Annalise Peters, who work at McDonald's in Cambridge, said: "The public and the labour movement have given us so much support and encouragement. When we went on strike last September it felt like a new workers' movement was being born."
This is power. Cambridge is united behind higher wages, unions rights and an end to exploitive zero hours contracts. #McStrike locking down the parking lot of this McD's in support of #McStrike and the workers who have walked off the job. #MayDaypic.twitter.com/7R6K8SLDkD
-- The McStrike! (@FastfoodRights) May 1, 2018
Paul Pomroy, chief executive of McDonald's UK, said none of the affected stores would close, pointing out that only 11 workers out of a total of 120,000 were involved in the action.
He added that he prided himself on listening to staff, saying: "We survey them twice a year, and have recently increased the starting pay rate, giving the biggest increase to younger workers."
To celebrate this #Mayday let's send our Solidarity and Support to the #McStrike workers courageously taking action to secure decent pay and working conditions & trade union recognition and to all those workers in precarious work standing up for their rights.
-- John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) May 1, 2018
The union said more than 11 workers were taking action.