On International Workers Day (01 May 2018) workers at five McDonald’s stores went on strike to demand £10 an hour, and an end to youth rates; the option of guaranteed hours and for their right to a union to be respected.
The day was a massive success as McDonald’s workers took a stand for justice, and the public and politicians came out to show their support. It showed that the McStrike is only going to grow until McDonald’s treats its workers with the respect they deserve.
Walk Out: The day started shortly after midnight when Blaz Mesner, a slovenian McDonald’s worker, walked off his shift in Manchester.
This was the moment Blaz Mesner started the #MayDay #McStrike by walking out of McDonald’s in #Manchester pic.twitter.com/wZ4tzKbHQd
— The McStrike! (@FastfoodRights) May 1, 2018
He was met by a loud and noisy reception of supporters. One supporter, Jodie Boy, a delegate from Hull Trades Council made the journey specially to express his support:
The north will rise again! #McStrike pic.twitter.com/WW8q053t6g
— The McStrike! (@FastfoodRights) May 1, 2018
Many others came out to show their support, including Lynn Collins from the North West TUC, and Manchester, Salford and Hull Trades Councils, and Labour Students.
Manchester Morning Picket: There was little sleep in Manchester as workers came back to picket their store in the morning. Amongst the supporters was Natalie Bennett (former leader of the Green Party).
Supersize the #inequality – this morning I joined #McStrike #Manchester workers demanding a decent wage for all. (The CEO gets 1,000x their hourly rate.) #MayDay https://t.co/xjOCL0DL5q
— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben) May 1, 2018
Cambridge: The picket line in Cambridge was well attended, briding the ‘town and gown’ divide with students from Cambridge Defend Education, and the university lecturers’ union UCU amongst many who came to show their support.
This is power. Cambridge is united behind higher wages, unions rights and an end to exploitive zero hours contracts. #McStrike locking down the parking lot of this McD’s in support of #McStrike and the workers who have walked off the job. #MayDay pic.twitter.com/7R6K8SLDkD
— The McStrike! (@FastfoodRights) May 1, 2018
Crayford Picket: In Crayford, McDonald’s workers were going on strike for the second time.
MAY DAY MAY DAY! Crayford #McStrike is back on the picket lines! #MayDay2018 #MayDayStrike pic.twitter.com/JjFnIcYMWP
— Unite the Resistance (@resistunite) May 1, 2018
Watford Demonstration. By midday workers from all five stores came together in Watford, the home town of multimillionaire Global CEO Steve Easterbrook.
Laura Pidcock the shadow Labour Minister for labour, herself a former McDonald’s worker, spoke powerfully about the change that is needed.
Labour MP and former @McDonaldsUK worker @LauraPidcockMP speaks to the #mcstrike rally in Watford and tells of how workers are exploited but fighting back @FastfoodRights pic.twitter.com/rwA49Do8ZV
— TUCG (@TUCGinfo) May 1, 2018
Richard Shattock, a McDonalds worker from Watford spoke about the inequality at the heart of McDonald’s business model:
Richard, a striking @McDonalds worker in Watford, stands outside his store and tells bosses: “You cannot belittle us. We are part of the trade union movement and we will win!”
CEO Steve Easterbrook earns £5,500 an hour. Richard is fighting for a £10 living wage #McStrike pic.twitter.com/orPLIUql6z
— Jack Shenker (@hackneylad) May 1, 2018
Online there was a tidal wave of support for the McStrikers: Including messages from around the world: McDonald’s workers showed their support:
#Solidarity to the #McStrike in England from #StandUpKC & the #FightFor15 & a #union! McDonald’s workers across England are going on strike on #MayDay! TOGETHER, WE WILL HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE MCDONALD’S SAY YES, when they want to say no! #FastFoodGlobal#InternationalWorkersDay pic.twitter.com/oIUzbDJg91
— Stand Up KC (@standup_kc) April 29, 2018
Solidarity to McDonald’s workers on strike on #MayDay! #FightFor15 #McStrike pic.twitter.com/Cv4k5dmmzZ
— FightFor15WI (@FightFor15WI) May 1, 2018
Parliamentarians also spoke out in support:
I just spoke in the European Parliament about the brave McDonalds workers who went on strike yesterday. #Watford #Cambridge #McStrike @FastfoodRights @bfawu1 pic.twitter.com/gZt3aJ1BT7
— Alex Mayer MEP (@alexlmayer) May 2, 2018
Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner raised the issue in Westminster.
I backed McDonald’s workers in Cambridge and #McStrike this morning in the Commons and challenged government on failure to protect workers pic.twitter.com/uu1yzmBH4N
— Daniel Zeichner (@DanielZeichner) May 1, 2018
The Media: The strike hit the headlines across the UK:
Fast Food Rights 