Uproar in McDonald’s May Day protest

Workers’ rights advocates march up Queen St, Auckland, yesterday to mark May Day. Picture / Richard Robinson

Police arrested 15 people who tried to take over McDonald's in central Auckland yesterday after a May Day march.

Auckland City Senior Sergeant Danny Meade said protesters were "irritating and abusing people who were eating". They were arrested for disorderly behaviour and would appear in court next week, he said.

The restaurant was closed about 3pm for an hour while police restored order.

Global Peace and Justice Auckland spokesman John Minto said the activity did not happen during the march.

About 400 people took part in yesterday's May Day march, which highlighted the push for pay rises.

Union members and supporters gathered at noon to march from the bottom of Queen St to Albert Park, finishing just before 2pm.

Mr Minto said the march had a broader range of groups and more unionists than previous years.

May Day, or International Labour Day, is a celebration of organised labour movements and is marked by workers around the world.