Food and drink giants hit as staff walk out in pay protest

Chains McDonald's, JD Wetherspoon and TGI Fridays were set to suffer some staff strikes on October 4 2018: Getty Images

Some of Britain’s most popular food and drink haunts faced staff walkouts on Thursday in protests over pay.

A number of workers at McDonald’s, TGI Fridays and JD Wetherspoon went on strike, as well as some UberEats riders.

UberEats’ drivers want to be paid £5 per delivery. The firm’s parent Uber recently cut minimum payment per delivery to £3.50 from £4.26.

A company spokesman said: “We recently made some changes to our payment structure in London. Since coming in to effect we’ve seen average earnings during mealtimes increase by 30%, from £8.30 to over £10 per hour.”

McDonald’s, TGI Fridays and JD Wetherspoon staff want £10 an hour.

McDonald’s saw four branches affected. It pointed out that wages are set by franchise owners, but its pay band guidance is £8-£10 for staff aged 25 and over. It said 90% of its restaurants pay at or above its recommended rates.

Spoons said it had increased pay rates in the year to July. TGI said "team members are paid at or above the National Minimum Wage hourly rate and they keep 100% of tips with zero admin charges. Team members’ pay is regularly reviewed".

TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady said: “Staff on strike today are not asking for the world.”