Historic McDonald’s Strike
Yesterday McDonald’s UK workers went on strike for the first time in UK history, over the company’s failure to offer them acceptable working conditions, job security or even an affordable living wage. In July, the Bakers’, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) notified McDonald’s that workers at 2 stores were to be balloted, with a view to authorise a strike later this year.
Results showed that 95.7 percent of McDonald’s workers that have been balloted voted in favour of the strike at the ballot, paving way for them to voice their concerns about McDonald’s not dealing with their grievances, and failing to end the use of zero-hour contracts – something that was promised to workers earlier this year.
Workers have found themselves living on low wages – with no guarantee of hours. This has been viewed by some as punishment for joining a union, and has seen employees struggle to meet their rent payments – whilst some have even lost their homes. Now, workers feel as if they have no alternative but to take action – all in line with their basic workplace rights and company procedures.
Despite McDonald’s being one of the UK’s largest, most profitable, and globally recognised employers, its employees are subjected to difficult, yet avoidable working conditions – working on insecure zero-hour contracts for low-wages.
This historic strike forms part of a growing global workers movement for fairness. 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). As a result of this campaign, more than 10 million workers in the U.S. are on a path to $15 an hour, and 20 million workers total have won wage increases since 2012.
These photographs were taken at a protest outside McDonald’s in Lord Street Liverpool.
Labour Party banner outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Marie Harrison, Secretary of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Unite members outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Writer Alan Gibbons outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Members of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Protesters outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Members of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Tony Mulhearn of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
Terry Harrison of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, outside McDonald’s. Liverpool 2017.
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