In a statement accompanying Sir Tim’s comments, JD Wetherspoon said it had been recognised by the Top Employers Institute, pointing to the fact that about a quarter of its staff have worked for the company for five years or more. It added that £21.2m was paid out to employees in bonuses and shares in the first six months of this year.
“The statements that Wetherspoon is ‘a c—– employer’ and has built its ‘business model’ on ‘low-paid insecure employment’ are completely inaccurate and unjustified,” it said.
The bust-up comes as Labour is planning to enact a package of measures dubbed a New Deal for Working People, including greater protection from unfair dismissal, a clampdown on zero-hour contracts, a ban on “fire and rehire” practices and an increase in the minimum wage.
These plans have not been without controversy. Some company bosses have argued that the plans could hurt investment and staffing, while unions have voiced upset over Labour’s plans to formally consult on its proposals with companies before enacting them.
This has raised concerns around how Labour will balance improving workers’ rights with its pledges to improve Britain’s economy and instil growth.
In his interview with the Telegraph, Mr Nowak said: “I don’t see any contradiction at all about giving people job security, decent pay, good employment rights and having a successful, competitive economy.”
He added that the TUC’s 5.5m members “don’t care if GDP grows if their wages are stagnant” and argued that the UK should treat UK workers’ feeling richer as a better indicator of success than just the size of the economy.