Fastfood Workers Say Wages Under Attack

Dublin's fast food staff are taking to the streets on Wednesday to highlight their anger over whet they describe is an attack by the industry on their wages.

Members of the Restaurant and Catering Workers Forum said they are gathering in Dublin city centre at lunchtime to oppose the reduction to their wages.

The protestors will mostly be made up of workers at Burger King, Eddie Rockets and Supermacs and will congregate at the bottom of O'Connell St near Luas line.

The fast food chains are part of the Quick Service Food Alliance, an industry group mounting a legal challenge to the Joint Labour Committee (JLC), which sets wages and conditions for workers in the restaurant and catering industry. The legal challenge is due to be heard at the High Court on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Restaurant and Catering Workers Forum said that although most of the chains saw big profits last year, they are joining other restaurants in challenging wage protections for its workers.

"Restaurant owners and industry groups have been calling for the reduction of worker protections and standards laid out by the JLC and challenging the right of the JLC to determine working conditions."

"We need as many allies and supporters as possible to be [at the protest]!"

SIPTU and the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) established the Restaurant and Catering Workers Forum, and will be staging the protest on Wednesday, 16 March at the bottom of O'Connell St outside Burger King, Supermac's and Eddie Rockets outlets.

(DW/KMcA)