Strikes planned across six McDonald's sites in London

Workers at six McDonald’s restaurants in south London are to strike on 12 November, calling for better pay and conditions.

Members of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers’ Union (BFAWU) working at McDonald’s branches in Wandsworth Town, Downham, Balham, Deptford, Catford and Crayford will take part in the action, which follows earlier strikes on 4 September 2017, 1 May 2018, and 4 October 2018.

The strikers are calling for wage increases to £15 an hour, the abolishing of youth rates, the choice to have up to 40 guaranteed hours a week, notice of shift patterns four weeks in advance and recognition of the BFAWU.

Melissa Evans, 32, who works at the Wandsworth Town branch, said: “I need £15 an hour so I can show my son that poverty is not the only option. Me and my colleagues are coming together in a union to show the world that McDonald’s workers deserve the same level of respect as everyone else.

“We are coming together to tackle poverty pay, insecurity of hours and lack of respect which has gone on at McDonald’s for too long.”

Lewis Baker, 28 and working at the Crayford branch, added: “McDonald’s can afford to pay us £15 an hour. It’s a reasonable request for a corporation that earns millions every day. Instead of listening to what we’ve been demanding, McDonald’s has tried to dismiss us, saying we were few.

“Yet McDonald’s workers everywhere face the same issues of poverty pay, insecure hours and a lack of basic respect. We are growing bigger with every strike. It’s time for McDonald’s to give its workers a new deal.”

A McDonald’s spokesperson responded: “We are extremely disappointed that a very small number of our people in just a handful of our restaurants are considering industrial action. We believe only nine people are involved across six restaurants, which is a tiny proportion of our 130,000 workforce.

"Their potential actions do not represent our people. We are committed to investing in our workforce, listening to and doing what is right by them. While it is unfortunate this may be taking place, it is encouraging that there has been a steady decrease in the already small numbers of our people previously balloted. In October 2018, when activity was last planned, ultimately none of our people actually took action.

“As a growing and successful organisation we, along with our franchisees, will continue to invest in our people and create quality jobs and opportunities for all. We regularly review pay and benefits to ensure we are rewarding our people, and we pay well above the government minimum wage. Our pay rates are extremely competitive within our industry and are ahead of many of our competitors."

The strike will coincide with a global day of action by fast food workers called by the International Union of Food.