Workers to strike as McDonald’s taken to court

Over 100 workers and supporter are expected at a protest strike at 260 Queen St McDonalds at 7pm tonight.

“We are angry at the company’s attempts at undermining our union and campaign for a $12 starting rate, and end to youth rates and for job security,” said Heni Moeke, 18, a crew trainer from Point Chevalier
McDonalds. “For every staunch McDonald’s worker who is brave enough to stand up for our demands, how many intimidated worker’s are there who are afraid to join us because they have been threatened with being fired or sued and offered money for not being in the union?”

At 12 noon, Ms Moeke, representing the 1000 McDonalds Unite union members, issued the multinational with a legal document charging the company with “unlawful failure to bargain” and “unlawful discrimination on grounds of union membership”.

A letter confirming the company’s position states: “As advised at the last meeting, it is likely McDonald’s will decide not to pay the above increases to UNITE members. That is simply because franchisees and McDonald’s are concerned that UNITE’s industrial tactics have the objective and/or effect of damaging the McDonald’s brand and their business and they don’t see any merit in rewarding that behaviour with a pay increase.”

“It is ludicrous for McDonald’s to accuse minimum wage workers of damaging the company’s multi-billion dollar brand,” said Simon Oosterman, SuperSizeMyPay.com campaign co-ordinator. “It is the multinational’s own policy of exploitating young and vulnerable low paid workers that is damaging their business and not the steps taken by minimum wage workers to change it.”

Unite is seeking a compliance order against McDonald’s, a declaration of unlawful conduct, court costs and compensation to each union member for unlawful discrimination.

The union expects other fast food workers to support tonights action.

ENDS

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