Immediate Release
Reacting to news of Wetherspoons U-turn [1] and agreement to pay ‘furloughed’ staff before receiving funds from the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Alex McIntyre, BFAWU Branch 101 Secretary and Wetherspoons worker said:
“Wetherspoon’s U-turn is welcome. We should never have had to wait till the end of April to be paid. We’re still waiting for confirmation that we’ll be paid 100% of our wages as this is not yet clear. Even on 100% of our wages we struggle to get by because they’re so low. Nobody should have to worry about paying bills, rent or buying food when they work for such a profitable company. Instead the company has cruelly caused enormous stress and anxiety to its 40,000+ employees. This was an active decision by the company in the midst of a crisis that is affecting the entire world.
“It is only by coming together to support each other that we can make sure it is not workers who suffer whilst our employers look after their profits. We will not forget this abandonment by the company of its workers. There’s power in a union. Solidarity”
Notes to editors:
For further information call Owen Espley [oespley[@] waronwant.org / 07861 362797]
- Jo Stevens MP Tweeted; After a session in front of @RachelReevesMP @CommonsBEIS Wetherspoons have u-turned on decision not to pay 43,000 staff while pubs are shut. Staff to be paid on April 3 and weekly after that. Good news, but people won’t forget political pressure forced your hand Tim Martin”.
- Over 12,000 people signed a BFAWU petition to Tim Martin asking him to ensure 1) Pay their laid off staff immediately, whilst the government money is still coming through.2) Shoulder the extra 20% to make up the difference in wages from the 80% the government have pledged to cover. 3) Pay all bonuses that staff are due in full.
- #SpoonStrike: JD Wetherspoons workers were inspired by the McStrike and joined the BFAWU.
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