The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McDonald’s staff across Tayside and Fife may yet join ‘McStrike’ action
Union says workers from branches in Scotland may picket in contract dispute
McDonald’s staff across Tayside and Fife did not join colleagues south of the border in taking strike action yesterday but have not ruled out future walkouts.
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) said employees may picket outside branches in Tayside and Fife at a future date.
McDonald’s workers in Cambridge and Crayford began striking yesterday for the first time in history in what has been dubbed the “McStrike”.
Fast food employees had voted in favour of industrial action following concerns around zero-hours contracts. They are also demanding to be paid a wage of at least £10 an hour.
The union said a total of 95.7% of the balloted McDonald’s workers in Cambridge and Crayford voted in favour of a strike but a spokeswoman for the fast food chain said this amounted to 14 staff members.
BFAWU said attempts by McDonald’s UK to become “fairer employers” have failed throughout the years.
The union added that the fast food chain is yet to introduce “acceptable working conditions, job security or even an affordable living wage”.
Scotland’s BFAWU regional secretary Mark McHugh said the same issues are affecting staff north of the border.
He said he would “definitely not” rule out branches in Tayside and Fife taking industrial action in the future.
Mr McHugh added: “There is no immediate plans as yet. I was speaking at an event on Wednesday night in Glasgow. People are being sent away from work early, coming from college and university and being sent back home.
“There are many challenges and we are increasing our membership week on week.”
When quizzed on whether Scottish branches could be among those to follow Cambridge and Crayford’s lead, he added “absolutely”.
McDonald’s announced earlier this year that it is allowing 115,000 workers in the UK the option of switching from zero-hours, or “flexible” contracts, onto fixed ones.
A McDonald’s UK spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that, following a ballot process, the BFAWU has indicated that a small number of our people representing less than 0.01% of our workforce are intending to strike in two of our 1,270 UK restaurants.
“As per the terms of the ballot, the dispute is solely related to our internal grievance procedures and not concerning pay or contracts.
“As announced in April this year, together with our franchisees, we are providing our people with the option of a guaranteed hour contract, and all restaurants will have these contracts in place by the end of 2017.
“McDonald’s UK and its franchisees have delivered three pay rises since April 2016, this has increased the average hourly pay rate by 15%.
“We are proud of our people at McDonald’s, they are at the heart of all we do and we work hard to ensure that our teams are treated fairly. Our internal processes underpin that commitment.”