Glasgow Village Hotel staff set for 'historic' strike action over pay dispute

Hotel staff in Glasgow are set to walk out in “historic” strike action over pay and working conditions.

Workers at Glasgow’s Village Hotel returned an overwhelming mandate for industrial action in July, with 100% of Unite and Union members voting in favour of strike action on an 81% turnout.

Unite said the dispute focuses on issues including low pay, equal pay, and work conditions, with most of the workers paid the National Minimum Wage (£12.21) rather than the real living wage (£12.60).

Workers are also fighting for equal pay for younger workers, who are paid £10.

The union has also claimed that the hotel is failing to pay workers for breaks.

Staff will begin their “landmark” industrial action on Saturday, August 2.

“Our members at Village Hotels are taking this landmark industrial action because they are sick and tired of unpaid breaks and poverty pay which discriminates based on age,” Bryan Simpson, national lead for Unite’s hospitality sector, said.

“The owners of Village Hotels have more than enough money to pay these workers what they deserve. If they want to stop the first strike at a major hotel in over 45 years, they should get round the table and negotiate with Unite and its members.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Unite will have the back of our Village Glasgow hotel workers as they begin historic strike action. At the heart of this dispute is a fight over decent pay and working conditions.

“This is a wealthy company which is short-changing its hardworking staff. Unite will support these workers 100% every step in their fight.”

Workers at Village Glasgow previously won a backdated pay rise after Unite reps discovered a significant wage disparity that disproportionately affected young women.

They also received backdated pay for unpaid training over a period of up to two years.

There will be a public demonstration in support of the strike at 3pm on Sunday, August 3.

Lindsay Southward, group director of operations and people at Village Hotels, said: “Our hotel will open as usual for guests and members to enjoy our full range of facilities during the industrial action.

“We are proud of the investment we make in our employees, which helps drive our employee engagement score and retention rate of 83% and 76% respectively – both significantly higher than industry averages.

“We continually review our remuneration policies and align with industry best practice, and offer a competitive range of employee benefits.”