MCDONALD’S has hit back after MP Faisal Rashid claimed trade union staff are ‘routinely being thrown out’ and banned from its UK restaurants.

It comes after the Labour politician, who holds the seat for Warrington South, brought forward his proposed Trade Union (Access to Workplaces) Bill.

The ten-minute rule motion sought to remove a number of existing restrictions on the ability of union officials to conduct their business with members in the workplace, as well as broadening union officials’ rights of access to speak to employees at work for the purposes of recruitment.

While highlighting the issue last Wednesday, he told the House of Commons union staff visiting McDonald’s sites across the UK to speak to workers about the benefits of joining a trade union ‘are being routinely thrown out of stores’ and having their presence reported to senior regional managers.

Commenting after it, Mr Rashid says trade unions are on the front line fighting poverty, inequality, injustice and negotiating a better deal for workers each day.

He said: “Their role has never been more critical than today, as in-work poverty is on the rise and zero-hours contracts are widespread.

“British workers face an uncertain and exploitative job market – while it is boom time for large multinational companies.”

But he also fired criticism at the fast food giant, as well as Amazon.

He added: “Under current legislation, there is no legal right of access to workplaces for unions to recruit new members, so huge companies like McDonald’s and Amazon are often able to bar trade unionists from their premises.

“To move away from a low-wage economy, I think that increasing the collective bargaining power of workers is critical.

“By expanding trade union access to workplaces, we can help to make this happen.”

The comments have sparked a response from McDonald’s.

A spokesman said: “We strongly dispute the notion that we are asking people to leave our restaurants based on their membership of a union.

“Our employees are free to join a union if they wish and we respect our workers’ individual rights to do so.

“If anybody comes into a restaurant with the sole intention of disrupting our people while they work, or customers while they eat, we would ask them to leave regardless of their reason for causing disruption.”

Online giant Amazon has also issued a statement on the issue.

A spokesman said: “Amazon offers industry-leading pay and benefits, as well as career opportunities, in a safe, modern work environment.

“If you want a true assessment of our working conditions just register for a tour at one of our fulfilment centres.”

A ten-minute rule motion allows a backbench MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes.

Mr Rashid’s motion was passed and is now scheduled for its second reading, although a date is yet to be arranged.