"Following a ballot process we can confirm that the BFAWU has indicated that a small number of our people are intending to take industrial action in five of our restaurants, with ballot results pending from a sixth restaurant – London Victoria Place. 35 of our 120,000 people, in five of our 1270 restaurants, were eligible to take part in the ballot and 21 supported industrial action. In two of these restaurants the number of people involved in the ballot totaled two individuals.

“While we are disappointed, given our focus on putting people at the heart of our business, we are reassured that the number of people who voted for industrial action is an extremely small proportion of our IE workforce. In our Cambridge and Crayford restaurants, fewer people are taking industrial action than previously did in September. The decision to take industrial action in those restaurants was made by a very small majority – with only 11 out of the eligible 21 employees voting in support*.

“It is also regrettable that during this process, we have had reports of intimidation of our people from activists. That is not behaviour we tolerate under any circumstances and we intend to investigate this further.”

“We take the interests and wellbeing of our people very seriously and encourage anyone to speak up if they ever have any concerns. Our people can talk to our managers and raise issues informally, or more formally through our grievance procedure, and this is our preferred route to dealing with issues relating to our workforce.  We remain committed to our people and their wellbeing at work.

“The intended strike action relates to pay and contracts. Over the last three years, we have taken a number of additional steps to ensure McDonald’s IE remains a great place to work.  Since September 2015, we have made three significant pay moves, and to maintain the many benefits we offer, from the great training, and development opportunities, to payment of overnight premiums and provision of meals, which so many businesses have taken from their people in recent times.

“As promised last year, everyone has now been offered a minimum guaranteed hours contract.  Despite this, around 80% of our people have selected to stay on flexible contracts because they value the opportunity to fit their work around their other commitments.

“Over 120,000 people in the IE work for McDonald’s, representing a mix of all ages and life stages. As a growing and successful business, along with our franchisees, we will continue to invest in our people and create jobs and opportunities for all.”

*Additional information

·         In two restaurants in Crayford and Cambridge 21 of our people were eligible to vote in the ballot, of these 12 returned their voting papers and 11 supported industrial action

·         In two Watford restaurants 6 of our people were eligible to vote in the ballot, with 5 supporting industrial action

·         In Manchester Oxford Street, 8 of our people were eligible to vote in the ballot, with 5 supporting industrial action

·         The 95% figure referred to by the BFAWU relates to the 21 people who voted to support industrial action out of 22 who returned their ballot papers.