In a historic move, hospitality workers from McDonald's, TGI Fridays and Wetherspoon are staging coordinated walkouts to highlight issues of low pay and insecure working.

The Fast Food Rights campaign said the strikers "are part of a growing movement of workers who face similar conditions of poverty pay, precarious contracts and lack of union recognition."

Workers in two Wetherspoon pubs in Brighton; McDonald's staff in Brixton, Crayford, Cambridge and Watford; and TGI Fridays workers in Milton Keynes, Covent Garden and Stratford in London will be going on strike.

Matt Rouse, a kitchen worker at the Bright Helm Weatherspoon Brighton, said: "We're excited and happy to be going on strike. I've been inspired by my co-workers as we stand together to call out injustice in our workplaces.

"We are determined to make our demands for £10 an hour for all, and union recognition heard. This is only the beginning. We will keep fighting for everyone, for better wages and rights for hospitality workers across the country."

Boni Adeliyi, TGI Fridays waitress in Milton Keynes, said: "We're striking on 4 October to show the strength we have when workers come together. The movement is growing and change is coming!

"All young workers should join a union - it's important to know your rights and how to fight for them when they're being ignored. Together we are stronger!"

McStriker Lauren McCourt said: "We're joining with Wetherspoons and TGI Fridays workers because when we come together, hospitality workers have the power to transform our sector. The days of poverty pay, insecure contracts and lack of respect for workers are numbered.

"A living wage of £10 an hour for all ages, security of hours, and our right to a union are the basic rights we are fighting for. Hospitality workers are rising up and all those who suffer similar conditions should join with us. We will win."

This will be the first time Wetherspoon workers have been on strike in the company's history. This is the eighth strike by workers at TGI Fridays in Covent Garden and Milton Keynes.

Wetherspoon and McDonald's staff have joined the food workers' union BFAWU. The TGI strikers are in general union Unite.

The Socialist Party will be taking part in the picket lines and protests and sends solidarity to all workers on strike.

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