Why the McDonald’s strikers are going to win

Last year I was proud to stand with members of our union who stood up to McDonald’s. And this week the whole of the trade union was with them as the TUC General Secretary, Frances O’Grady, hand delivered a letter to McDonald’s demanding they recognise our union. 

Some people were shocked these workers had the audacity to take on the world’s second largest employer – but it’s hardly surprising that workers are angry when Steve Easterbrook the CEO makes £6,000 an hour, while workers are struggling to get by on minimum wage.

Our members in McDonald’s know what the union movement is: it’s workers coming together to solve problems you can’t solve on your own. It’s knowing that if you knock on the door of the franchise owner or the CEO and ask for your pay rise alone, you will get the door slammed in your face. But if you band together and march to the boss’ door, he has to listen.

It’s the hard work of every McDonald’s worker that means the CEO can fly round in his private jet. It’s the hard graft of the workers in the franchises that mean the franchise owner can live in his suburban mansion. Why should our members live in poverty when it is our members who make these profits?

The trade union movement is built upon the idea that we are better able to solve our problems when we work on them together – which is why BFAWU (Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union) members had no hesitation deciding to join the global fight against McDonald’s.

This is a global campaign, too: four years ago a small group of McDonald’s workers in New York got together and took action to tackle poverty pay.

Now several years later, fast food workers in over 50 countries have taken action, and millions of workers have won higher wages. 

Many have argued McDonald’s is too big and too hostile to force to the negotiating table. But I say our side is bigger: McDonald’s has millions of workers. Globally they have family and friends. We can force the giant to respect workers and our communities.

This week the TUC – which represents over six million workers across the UK – delivered a letter to McDonald’s calling on them to recognise our union. The message is clear: it’s time for change at McDonald’s.

Frances O’Grady, the General Secretary of the TUC, has been clear there is no worker in the UK that the labour movement will not support. She’s determined to ensure every job is a great job, and is leading the union movement to innovate and reach out to young people.

Whether you work one hour a week, are on a precarious contract, or your employer claims you’re self-employed, the trade union movement has your back.

She’s is ensuring the union movements understands that it is not about ‘generously offering help’ to women, black and migrant workers – but that it is women, black and migrant workers who are the future of the labour movement.

McDonald’s workers are leading the way – and their bravery is a lesson to us all. Because they are winning.

They have won a 10-year record pay rise.

They have won more guaranteed hours.

They have challenged and defeated bullying and harassment by both managers and customers.

They have won changes to make life more bearable at work.

My message to every worker is this: if you want to improve your workplace and your life, form a union. Participate. Stand together and win.

McDonald’s should know that when you are a union member you are never alone – that it is not the corporations that are all powerful but ourselves. It’s time to use that power.

Ronnie Draper is General Secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allies Workers Union.  

Photo credit: TUC / Jess Hurd

See also: McDonald’s workers are going back on strike – and this time it will spread