Union protests at KFC

FRIDAY, JUNE 1: Hundreds of union members today descended on a fast food restaurant at the centre of a row over an agreement on pay and conditions.

BIU members marched en masse from their Hamilton HQ through the city to KFC in Queen Street in protest at a management bid to get a new collective bargaining agreement with union employees.

The move followed an emergency meeting called amid fears of job cuts at KFC following a deadlock in negotiations over a new agreement.

There was disruption to Government services, including buses and ferries, while the meeting and protest march went on.

The protest was the latest twist in a long-running saga over a new agreement to cover staff at the restaurant.

Government sent the matter to arbitration — but loss-making KFC has said that it would not regard any ruling as binding.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Patrice Minors on Thursday started court proceedings to prevent KFC from doing anything to interfere with the arbitration process.