McDonald's denies pay freeze
THE GMB trade union has attacked McDonald's for a 16-month "pay freeze". Minimum wages remain at £3.25 per hour in the provinces, £3.35 in outer London and £3.60 in central London.
But McDonald's says rates of pay are likely to be increased soon.
The issue was first raised in October, when student members of the GMB working for McDonald's complained that they had received no pay rise since 1 September 1996.
The union immediately called for an inflation-matching increase, and general secretary John Edmonds told the company it could introduce a £4-an-hour minimum without any impact on business.
The burger chain responded that there was no pay freeze and that wages were under review, but by Christmas McDonald's had still not increased pay.
A company spokeswoman said that an increase "may not be too long" in coming. She rejected GMB calls for any rise to be backdated to September, adding: "We don't make pay increases on an annual basis but when we believe it's the right thing."
l Hoteliers and restaurateurs who don't protect staff from tobacco fumes could find themselves in court in the New Year.
The GMB is preparing a test case against the Casino Operators Association on behalf of croupiers who were exposed to passive smoking in their work. If successful, the case will pave the way for similar prosecutions against employers throughout the hospitality industry.
"Employers have a duty of care to ensure that there are no health risks in the work-place," said GMB spokeswoman Karen Livingstone. "If any restaurant or pub workers among our members said they were unhappy with smoking conditions, then we would consider action."
The case is being brought following the publication of research by the British Medical Association which says that 330 people in Britain die every day of diseases related to smoking. Employers are required to protect workers from exposure to substances harmful to health.
"Any employer who isn't taking the issue seriously is leaving themselves open for problems down the line," said Livingstone.
