Scottish Pizza Hut workers accuse franchise owners Glenshire Brands of 'breaking the law'

Pizza Hut workers have accused the owners of more than 20 franchise takeaway outlets in Scotland of ‘breaking the law’.

Unite the Union claims cooks, cleaners, and delivery drivers are enduring wage theft and the denial of breaks across 23 takeaway outlets in Scotland.

Glenshire Brands, which owns the Pizza Hut takeaway stores in various locations across the country, has been accused of conducting a ‘systematic attack’ on the pay and conditions of around 200 workers after it took over the stores in 2022.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The behaviour of Glenshire Brands across Pizza Hut outlets in Scotland is deplorable and reprehensible. The company has launched a full-on assault on workers’ pay and conditions which will have a serious impact on our members’ take-home pay.

“The Pizza Hut workers can be assured of Unite’s complete determination to hold this rogue employer to account.”

It is claimed that Pizza Hut workers have also had the on-shift meal and staff discount removed, and the company has retroactively docked workers’ pay for rest breaks that they did not take.

Workers have submitted a collective grievance on the loss of drivers’ commission, with workers across the Pizza Hut stores raising a grievance on leave, breaks, and health and safety issues.

Bryan Simpson, Unite’s lead organiser for hospitality said: “The way our members have been treated by the Glenshire Group is morally reprehensible and almost certainly illegal. This is a cynical attempt to demolish pay and conditions for some of the lowest paid workers in the economy – to cut labour costs and lurch towards bogus self-employment.

“Unite will not allow such a dangerous precedent to be set, and we will be doing everything in our power to support our members to fight back against these measures industrially, legally and politically.”

Glenshire Brands categorically denies that any changes have taken place to the terms of employment since inception.

They also confirmed that drivers were offered the voluntary option for drivers to change roles, or take up a self-employment contract should they find this more financially lucrative.

A spokesperson from Glenshire Brands said: “We can confirm that we received the two collective grievances on Sunday, March 23, with the first relating to our delivery drivers’ compensations and the second relating to concerns including annual leave and rest break policies. These grievances will be thoroughly investigated in line with our grievance process.

“Glenshire are absolutely committed to robust employment practices including honouring all annual leave and break entitlement for our almost 800 colleagues.

“Driver Commissions have not been reduced, rather the remuneration model has changed from a ‘per delivery’ amount to a ‘per mile’ basis to better reflect fuel expenses and ensuring insurance costs are covered. Alongside this, we have increased gross pay rates by bringing forward the National Living Wage and Minimum Wage increases by up to £1.20 per hour.

“There are categorically no blanket changes to self-employed contracts taking place. In addition, there have been no changes to break policies or annual leave entitlement.

“We are very much listening to our colleagues, to understand where there are any concerns and how we can swiftly resolve these and have organised internal meetings to hear their concerns.”

A spokesperson for Pizza Hut UK added: “Pizza Hut is deeply committed to ensuring a safe and fair working environment for all employees and as such has strict policies in place that its franchise businesses must adhere to.

“Although Glenshire Group operates as an independent franchisee and is ultimately responsible for its own employment practices, we take these allegations seriously. Glenshire will be actively engaging in the coming days with any concerned employees, and we will continue to investigate this situation.”