Common Weal criticised for unpaid workers ad

A LEFT wing movement which has campaigned for better paid jobs was last night under fire for advertising for six unpaid baristas to work at its Edinburgh cafe.

Conservatives MSP Alex Johnstone criticised the group. Picture: Cate Gillon

The advert, which was posted by the Common Weal movement, said the cafe would be relying on the good will of volunteers to make the venture a success.

The Common Weal, which has campaigned for higher wages and a shorter working week, was criticised by the Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone.

He said: “At least the Common Weal will be responsible for the first coffee shop to pay less tax than Starbucks.

“It seems these poor baristas will be further away from the living wage than almost anyone else in society.

“Perhaps this flaky organisation’s hallowed ethos doesn’t extend to its own workers.”

When the unpaid posts were highlighted by the website Buzz Feed, Common Weal’s director Robin McAlpine said: “This is a voluntary social enterprise where people want to give their time and contribute to discussion.

“No one makes any profit from this.

“This is simply a group of people who want to have a place where they can come to talk politics and get involved, and this will be done on a voluntary basis.”

Later the organisation apologised “unreservedly” for the advert admitting it was a “political own goal”.

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