Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has told the pub chains’ 40,000-strong workforce to go and work at Tesco as the coronavirus pandemic hits.
After closing hundreds of pubs on Saturday, Martin said he’s “had calls” from Britain’s biggest grocer, asking for workers to support them during the crisis.
Addressing staff by video, he said:
“I know that all our trade now has gone to supermarkets. Not only our trade, but the trade from cafés, leisure centres, restaurants etc.
“So we have had lots of calls from supermarkets, Tesco alone want 20,000 people to join them. That’s half the amount of people who work in our pubs.”
Government payments
Martin then goes on to tell people that they could wait on the government payments to begin or go and work at one of the supermarkets that are hiring.
He said: “If I’m honest, I could say you can get the furlough payments and stay at home.
“If you’re offered a job at a supermarket, many of you will want to do that. If you think it’s a good idea, do it.
“I can completely understand it. If you’ve worked for us before I promise we will give you first preference if you want to come back.
“I completely understand if you don’t want to wait around for us to reopen but deeply appreciate your work.”
#boycottweatherspoons
The hashtag #boycottweatherspoons was trending on Twitter following the announcement.
Stuart Braithwaite, lead guitarist of the Glasgow band Mogwai, tweeted: “Anyone who’d put a penny in this w*‘s pocket needs watching.”
George Monbiot, who shared a statement from union BFAWU, also said:
“One thing #COVID19 has made abundantly clear is who the total bastards are. We need a political system that ensures the likes of Mike Ashley, Tim Martin and Richard Branson are never allowed to dominate our lives again.”
One thing #COVID19 has made abundantly clear is who the total bastards are. We need a political system that ensures the likes of Mike Ashley, Tim Martin and Richard Branson are never allowed to dominate our lives again. pic.twitter.com/7mRGRMmoUr
— George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) March 24, 2020
Related: US Republican: “Older people would rather die than damage our economy”
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
