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From The Socialist newspaper, 13 November 2019
'McStrikers' demand £15 an hour
Wandsworth Town strike protest by McDonald's workers, 12th November 2019 , photo Isai Priya (Click to enlarge)
Helen Pattison, West London Socialist Party
On 12 November, McDonald's workers at six restaurants in south London took strike action, and protests took place in towns and cities around the country, as part of the fast food workers' global day of action.
The main demand of the strikers was for a living wage of £15 an hour to end poverty pay. But they are also fighting for shifts to be notified four weeks in advance, a choice of guaranteed hours up to 40 hours a week and recognition of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union.
Strikers from the six south London McDonald's restaurants protested in Wandsworth in the morning then at Downing Street in freezing rain at lunchtime. Rob Williams spoke to give solidarity from the National Shop Stewards Network.
Striker Melissa declared: "We've had enough! Of choosing between paying the gas or buying food. Of not being able to buy new shoes for work."
Lewis Baker said: "We don't have set hours, so we don't always earn enough to pay the bills. If we got £15 an hour it would have a massive impact - I would be able to afford to pay my rent, to pay bills, go on holiday and have some kind of a work-life balance. It's important to strike against massive corporations like McDonald's who are making millions."
The Bakers Union said that these brave workers were standing up for low paid and zero-hour contract workers across the country. Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell spoke and pledged support for the strikers £15 claim.
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In The Socialist 13 November 2019:
What we think
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News
Strike, protest, vote - Kick the Tories out
Labour MP targeted by right wing stands as independent
Green Party offers no alternative for young people and climate change chaos
International socialist news and analysis
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Kshama Sawant reelected in Seattle
Workplace news
'McStrikers' demand £15 an hour
UCU strikes: Union means business in fight against employers
Postal union determined to resist bosses' attacks
PCS union general secretary election: Enthusiastic support for Marion Lloyd
Frimley NHS Trust strikes: Health workers walkout against privatisation
Bradford libraries and museums: Unite members escalate action against cuts
RMT union members at SWR to walk out in December
Transport for London - Justice for cleaners!
Education
Save education - Kick out the Tories
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Leicester campaigns to save our NHS
Fighting for free education, jobs, homes, and a future worth living
Socialism 2019 rally: "Socialist change needed to end climate change"
Trade union conference to force secret police disclosure
Barking: protest brings pledge to remove dangerous decking
Help socialist ideas spread this election: donate!
We saved Chatsworth Ward - two years on
Readers' opinion
Readers' opinion: Twitter's banning of political ads threatens workers' voice
Theatre: On Bear Ridge - an examination of loss, set in a post-apocalyptic world
Socialism 2019 - what you thought
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