McDonald’s is facing a new round of industrial action, as The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union ballots members over whether to strike in pursuit of higher wages and improved working conditions.
Sky News reports the union is balloting members in five different branches of McDonald’s – Crayford, Cambridge, Manchester, Watford, and a further site in central London.
The Watford and Manchester branches are both franchised restaurants, while those in Cambridge and Crayford are owned by the company itself.
It follows strikes seven months ago in two restaurants over grievance procedures, but which escalated into a protest over zero-hours contracts.
The union is demanding a salary of £10 per hour, an end to lower “youth rates” of pay, and greater flexibility in working hours. The union opposes the use of zero-hours contracts.
The strike action could start from 1 May - the day after McDonald’s releases its financial results.
Paul Pomroy, UK managing director of McDonalds, told Sky News the pay of McDonald’s workers had increased by 25% since 2015.
He added: “We take the well-being of our people very seriously and encourage them to speak up if they have any concerns.
“Our people can talk to our managers and raise issues informally, or more formally through our grievance procedure, and this is our preferred route to dealing with issues relating to our workforce. We remain committed to our people and their well-being at work.”
