MCDONALD’S workers celebrated victory today after winning the biggest pay rise at the company for more than 10 years.

The award, which takes effect on January 22, follows strike action taken by staff at two sites for the first time in Britain last September.

Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) national president Ian Hodson hailed the pay rise as an “amazing achievement” by workers who stood up for their rights and forced the fast-food chain to “sit up and take notice.”

In a watershed moment last year, BFAWU members walked out at McDonald’s in Crayford and Cambridge in a 24-hour stoppage over pay and conditions.

The strike, the first by McDonald’s workers in Britain, was backed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who offered “support and solidarity” to the workers, saying that his party was fully behind them.

Mr Hodson said others across the country should look to the McDonald’s strikers as an example of what can be achieved when workers join trade unions and take action.

“While we haven’t achieved everything we want just yet, including all workers to be covered by the agreement, to be paid at least £10 an hour and for all employees to be on a permanent contract, this is a step in the right direction,” he added.

Workers will be paid according to their age, job and region under the new deal, which will cover those working for company-owned McDonald’s restaurants but not franchisees.

From the end of this month, the minimum wage for 16 to 17-year-olds will be £5.75 an hour, up from £5.10, while those over 25 will be paid at least £8 an hour, up from £7.60.

Mr Hodson called the news a “great start to the year” and paid tribute to the strikers who fought for better terms and conditions.

He said: “This demonstrates how standing up for your rights can force a huge company like McDonald’s to change their ways.

“Their action has caused ripples across the movement and, because they went on strike, they have won the biggest pay rise for more than 10 years.

“Those workers should be very, very proud.”