Labour Candidates for Milton Keynes support hospitality workers on day of action

Labour Candidates for Milton Keynes, Hannah O'Neill and Charlynne Pullen, support hospitality workers on international day of action
Labour Candidates for Milton Keynes, Hannah ONeill and Charlynne Pullen, support hospitality workers on international day of actionLabour Candidates for Milton Keynes, Hannah ONeill and Charlynne Pullen, support hospitality workers on international day of action
Labour Candidates for Milton Keynes, Hannah ONeill and Charlynne Pullen, support hospitality workers on international day of action

Unite members from TGI Fridays in Milton Keynes, Covent Garden and Stratford City marked their eighth 24 hour walkout yesterday (Thursday) by joining with striking workers from McDonald’s and Wetherspoons for an international day of action to demand a better deal for hospitality workers.

In a historic move, the strikers, who came together to call for £10 an hour and union rights, were joined by fast food and gig economy workers from across the UK and abroad in taking action in a mass show of solidarity – including a rally in Leicester Square with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP and TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady.

The TGI Fridays strike is over a change in tipping policy which has left waiting staff £250 a month worse off as well as the company’s continued refusal to hear their grievances.

Speaking in support of this international day of action Charlynne Pullen, Labour’s candidate for Milton Keynes North said: “These young workers are leading a growing movement against low pay and insecure work in the hospitality sector and across the gig economy that is becoming commonplace on the Tories’ watch.

“They are not only demanding respect but better pay and union rights; because they know that by standing together they can win – and the Labour Party stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this fight.

Hannah O’Neill, Labour’s Candidate for Milton Keynes South, echoed Charlynne’s sentiments, adding: “They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and only this week, the

government echoed Labour’s call for action to stop employers taking a cut of workers’ tips.

“Labour, alongside the trade union movement, will hold the government to account on this fair tips promise.”