MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Workers from two McDonald's restaurants in the United Kingdom went on strike for the first time in the history of the popular fast food chain in the country, demanding a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) said Monday.
"Absolutely fantastic turnout for the #mcstrike at Crayford. These workers are creating history by their brave action," BFAWU said on Twitter.
Absolutely fantastic turnout for the #mcstrike at Crayford. These workers are creating history by their brave action #McStrike @resistunite
— BFAWU (@bfawu1) 4 сентября 2017 г.
Around 40 workers at the McDonald's branches in Cambridge and Crayford in south-east London took part in the strike, demanding a starting salary of 10 pounds ($13) an hour and more secure working hours, the union said.
Earlier this morning…about 100 protest in front of McDonalds on Sand Lk Rd. Workers want union right, $15 an hour pic.twitter.com/GICtpayl5F
— Ryan Harper (@RyanMHarper13) 4 сентября 2017 г.
UK Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn supported the striking workers' demands on Facebook, writing that they are "just and should be met."
"McDonald’s UK and its franchisees have delivered three pay rises since April 2016, this has increased the average hourly pay rate by 15 per cent," the fast food company spokesman said, commenting on the demands.
According to McDonald’s, the fast food chain has 97,000 people employed in 1,200 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 1.8 million people employed in more than 34,000 restaurants worldwide.
