Village Hotel strike ends as staff win backdated pay rise and end to zero-hour contracts

A historic strike at a Glasgow hotel has ended after staff accepted a new offer of a backdated pay rise and an end to zero-hour contracts.

Unite the Union members working at the Village Hotel on the south side of the city voted for industrial action last month amid a dispute over pay and working conditions.

It was the first hotel strike in Britain in over 45 years and lasted for three weeks.

Unite has now revealed that the action has come to an end after what it calls a “victory for the youngest workers”.

The agreement relates to staff in Village’s F&B teams who are under the age of 21.

As well as a 10% pay rise, which will be dated back to April 1, 2024, meaning some will receive up to £3000, Village has also agreed to cover all tax and national insurance, make a £400 payment to workers over 21 who did not benefit from equal pay uplift and a replacement of zero-hour contracts with guaranteed minimum hour contracts.

A statement from the union said: “The first hotel strike in Britain since 1979 has ended in victory, after the youngest workers won a backdated pay-rise and an end to zero-hour contracts.

“Following 3 weeks of continuous strike action our members at Village Hotel in Govan have won the following:

10% pay rise for the youngest workers backdated to 1st April 2024 – with some workers getting up to £3000.
Village have agreed to cover all Tax and NI putting £££s more in their back pockets.
A £400 payment for workers over 21 who did not benefit from equal pay uplift.
Replacement of zero hour contracts with guaranteed minimum hour contracts.

“This settlement comes after a week of negotiations between Village senior management and reps aged 18, 19, and 25.”

Bryan Simpson, National Lead, Unite Hospitality, said: “What these young workers have managed to win after 3 weeks of continuous strike action is nothing short of astonishing.

“This is not the end of their battle for full equal pay and the real living wage, but it’s an incredible achievement for these strikers who took on a hotel chain owned by the biggest asset management company in the world and won thousands for the lowest paid workers with the solid support of the first hotel strike in 46 years.

“They are an inspiration to hotel workers everywhere, that if you unionise and take action collectively, you can win.”

Daniel Friel, National Convenor, Unite Village Hotels: “After 21 days of continuous strike action, our members have won an agreement with Village Hotels which will put thousands of pounds in the back pockets of the youngest workers with a substantial and tax-free backdated pay rise; as well as the abolition of explorative zero-hour contracts.

“This has been a campaign around equality and against discrimination – something Village refuse to codify into our contracts.

“Our campaign to produce a fair and equal environment within Village Hotels will continue.”

A Village spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that an agreement has been reached with Unite.

“We are proud of our track record as an employer, and this decision enhances our already highly competitive package, which includes significant benefits and incentives, contributing to our market-leading employee loyalty and engagement scores.”