Protesters target tax cheats Starbucks over low pay
Tuesday 11 December 2012
Printable
EmailTax-dodging coffee chain Starbucks was thrown back into the spotlight today over its refusal to pay its workers a living wage.
Union activists announced plans to protest outside Starbucks in Wimbledon, south-west London, on Thursday after revealing that the US giant underpays its staff.
GMB is campaigning for a living wage of £8.55 an hour in London and £7.45 outside the capital.
The coffee chain giant is also worsening 8,500 employees' working conditions at 750 coffee shops across Britain after warning them it planned to axe paid 30-minute lunch breaks, stop paid sick leave for the first day of illness, cut maternity benefits and freeze some wages.
Starbucks refuses to recognise trades unions.
Protesters will be at Wimbledon Starbucks from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday evening with placards and flags.
The company was notoriously exposed recently for the low level of taxes it pays in Britain.
Thursdays's protest is the latest in a series involving the GMB.
GMB official Michelle Gordon said "This is the fourth time this month GMB members have protested about Starbucks."
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