Latest news with #UVW
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Hotel workers' strike considered a historic turning point
Housekeepers at Radisson Blu Canary Wharf and bar staff from Draughts, a London board games café, are set to strike this week. This marks the first hotel workers' strike in England in 46 years, with the United Voices of the World (UVW) union calling it a 'defining moment for the UK labour movement'. Radisson Blu housekeepers, outsourced by WGC, are striking over pay below the London Living Wage, reduced contracted hours, and increased daily room quotas. Draughts bar staff are protesting exploitative conditions, including zero-hour contracts, last-minute shift cancellations, and reduced earnings due to QR code ordering. Workers at both establishments voted unanimously for strike action, demanding improved pay, guaranteed hours, and an end to insecure working conditions. Radisson Blu housekeepers in London to stage first hotel strike in 46 years
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Radisson Blu housekeepers in London to stage first hotel strike in 46 years
Housekeepers at Radisson Blu Canary Wharf are set to walk out at the end of this week in the first hotel workers' strike in England in 46 years. The hotel staff will be joined by bar staff from Draughts, London's popular board games café and restaurant on Saturday 9 August. The trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) have called it a 'defining moment for the UK labour movement' as the first hotel workers' strike since 1979. Workers at both workplaces voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action. According to UVW, Radisson Blu housekeepers are outsourced by WGC (formerly Windowgleam Company), who pay them £13 per hour – an amount below the London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour. The union also notes a reduction in contracted hours from 40 to as few as 16 per week, while daily room quotas have nearly doubled from 14 to 24. The union said workers find these conditions are unsustainable and are demanding a return to 40 guaranteed hours per week, as well as the London Living Wage. Draughts Bar staff are 'fighting against exploitative, and insecure working conditions' including zero-hour contracts, last-minute shift cancellations and a fall in their earnings due to the replacement of table service with QR code ordering, according to UVW. Petros Elia, general secretary at UVW, said: 'This strike is a historic turning point—hotel housekeepers, alongside bar staff, are taking collective action for the first time in over 46 years. 'They're standing up to poverty wages, zero hour contracts, excessive workloads, and the deep-rooted precarity that defines much of the hospitality industry. 'This fight goes beyond pay. It's a stand against a system that exploits migrant workers, women, and Black and brown workers, those who keep the industry running while being treated as disposable.' The Independent has contacted WGC, Radisson Blu and Draughts for comment. Read more: Holiday roulette? boss backs lottery to tackle overtourism
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Domestic abuse advisors to strike 'indefinitely'
Domestic abuse support workers in east London have voted to strike "indefinitely" over proposals they said would put victims and survivors at risk. Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) from the charity Solace Women's Aid will begin strike action in Tower Hamlets on 14 February. A spokesperson for the charity said it was merging different funding streams and looking at plans to explore "redeployment opportunities", but was committed to supporting survivors. Tower Hamlets Council said there was no proposed change to the council's level of funding for Solace. The workers, who are members of United Voices of the World (UVW) union, returned a 100% vote in favour of strike action following a 92% turnout. UVW said proposals could see the team cut by a third and warned that would have a "catastrophic impact" on its service users. The service provides free support, advocacy and referrals to high-risk survivors of domestic violence. Between April and December 2024, Solace managed 1,139 referrals and supported 227 victim-survivors in the borough. Isabel Cortés, UVW's assistant general secretary, said strike action was to "preserve services in the long run". "Our members refuse to stand by while jobs are axed and survivors are left without the support they need," she said. "They have called indefinite strike action which shows their determination to stand up and win for all victims/survivors in Tower Hamlets." A spokesperson for Solace said they were consulting with staff over the merging of different funding streams. "Solace will seek to explore redeployment opportunities, which we have an excellent track record in achieving," they said. "Solace continues all efforts to work collaboratively and constructively with everyone involved including our staff, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and staff representatives." A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: "We commission Solace to provide specialist support to victims of domestic abuse, a vital resource for our residents. "No changes have been made to the funding the council provides for these essential services, nor are any changes being proposed. "Solace is an independent organisation, and we do not have the power to determine their internal structures. "We are working with Solace to fully understand what impact any proposed changes would have on local service delivery, and we have reached out to United Voices of the World to discuss the important issues they have raised." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to The abuse victims at the mercy of their tormentors Solace Women's Aid Tower Hamlets Council
