Laibaz picket report - 24/9

Manchester Solidarity Federation carried out a successful picket outside Laibaz restaurant in Bolton on Saturday 24th September. The picket was part of the campaign Manchester SF is organising against the owner of the restaurant who owes ex-employees thousands of pounds in unpaid wages. The picket was a real success with a number of people who had planned to eat at the restaurant refusing to cross the picket line. Throughout the picket we had people stopping to offer support with several people sharing their experiences of being mistreated at work. We also collected details of one person who wanted to get involved in the campaign. The local newspaper took pictures of the picket and interviewed one of the ex-employees. Several members of Manchester IWW joined the picket to add their support to the campaign.

Laibaz dispute update

Manchester Solidarity Federation has been in dispute with Laibaz restaurant in Bolton since the beginning of July over wage theft, below minimum wage pay rates and other matters - see earlier post below. 

The campaign has included a number of demand letters backed up with two successful phone blockades aimed at preventing take away orders. In the light of Sunar Alom's refusal so far to enter negotiations to resolve the dispute, Manchester SF has escalated its actions against Laibaz over the weekend of August 20th/21st. A 3rd phone blockade on the evening of the 20th has been followed up with a postering campaign in the vicinity of Laibaz.

We thank people for the fantastic support so far and urge you to continue this to force Sunar Alom to return the wages he has stolen and to prevent him from robbing workers in the future.

"Support your local barista": NLSF in mobile information pickets of London Pret shops

Despite the wet weather, today a member of NLSF joined PAMSU in leafleting some half-a-dozen Pret a Manger shops in central London.  Demanding reinstatement for sacked union activist Andrej, we handed out several hundred leaflets, began conversations with customers, and established contacts with a handful of workers inside the shops.

PAMSU Website Goes Live as Union Announces Living Wage Campaign

The Pret a Manger Staff Union, formed in London when a group of workers got sick of management mistreatment, has been standing up for Pret employees for a number of months now.  As part of the increasing momentum enjoyed by the campaign, the PAMSU website is now live.  And on it is the announcement that PAMSU will be fighting for a living wage for all Pret workers.

PAMSU in the Media and on the Internet

Following a successful picket on Monday, the Pret a Manger Staff Union received has received a write-up from Morning Star daily paper.  Continuing to build on the success and energy of that picket, PAMSU has created a short YouTube video which explains the reasons behind the action, interviews supporters of the union, and shows members and supporters marching into St. Pancras Station and confronting management about their union busting and victimization of workplace activists.

Pret a Manger Staff Union in Rowdy London Demonstration

PAMSU activists were today joined by members of the North and South London locals of the Solidarity Federation and some 25 other supporters in a vocal and mobile picket of Pret a Manger shops in central London.  Our message to Pret was no doubt loud and clear: end victimization of all union members and full reinstatement for PAMSU founder Andrej.

If today's numbers and energy are any indication, the Pret a Manger Staff Union is on the march.  Keep watch on this space to find out about upcoming actions and how you, as a Pret worker or union supporter, can get involved in the campaign.

Picket to Defend the Pret a Manger Staff Union - Monday 19th November, London

Where: Entrance to St. Pancras Station
When: Monday 19th November, 12:00 – 2:00
Contact: pret.staff.union (at) gmail.com or northlondonsf (at) solfed.org.uk

Since being formed earlier this year, the Pret a Manger Staff Union has faced harassment and victimisation.  In an all too familiar scenario, activists from the union have faced a series of trumped-up disciplinary charges.

Join North London SolFed in standing up to union-busting by helping us picket the Pret shop where the union was formed and where two members are in the process of fighting victimisation.

Solidarity is going to be key to fighting fast food exploitation, so spread the word.