Organised by EFFAT‘s affiliate Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), McDonalds’ workers are demanding: (I) 10 £ an hour minimum wage; (II) An end to zero hours contracts; (III) Recognition of their trade unions.
In April 2017, McDonalds had promised workers guaranteed-hours contracts to all employees who wanted them. However, the BFAWU claims that workers at most stores were told nothing about this until the strike was announced. Now, workers and BFAWU rightly want this as a done deal which would represent a major victory for the some 80,000 workers at McDonald’s, and a successful example of workers’ organizing.
The fast food sector has undergone a crucial scrutiny by institutions, civil society organisations and trade unions over the last couple of years, both across Europe and world-wide.
In the USA, McDonald’s have come under significant pressure as part of the “Fight for $15” campaign – supported by the Service Employee’s International Union (SEIU). More than 10 million workers in the USA find themselves currently on the way to obtain $15 an hour as a result of the efforts of the campaign.
EFFAT together with EPSU and SEIU itself, is part of a coalition of European and American trade unions, representing 15 million workers in different sectors of the economy across almost 40 countries aimed at unmasking McDonalds’ abusive employment practice, poor working conditions, tax avoidance and anti-union behavior around the world.
The European Commission is currently investigating McDonalds’ tax structure aimed at avoiding paying the taxes it owes on the royalty payments received from franchisees across Europe.
EFFAT’s German affiliate NGG has just recently signed a national agreement with the fast food employers’ association following months of nation-wide strikes and national and local protest actions in response to the employers’ refusal to pay a living wage.
EFFAT is closely following the pressure on the sector in Europe and its affiliates tasked with employees’ organising. Convinced of the power of strong mobilisation, EFFAT firmly stands with the UK fast food workers today in claiming their rights.
Workers need the urgent solidarity of the wider trade union movement. Messages of support, encouragement and solidarity for the workers can be sent to fastfoodrights@mail.com. Material, videos and testimonials of the strike can be followed on Twitter: @FastFoodRights | #McStrike | #FastFoodGlobal