Latest news with #labourmovement
The Independent
2 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
3 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
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
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.'
ABC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Workers. Wages. Revolution: The True Story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
Today trade unions are an integral part of the political landscape, at least in countries like Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. But this hasn't always been the case… In the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, there was a real fear that the social and political upheaval of the French Revolution might be replicated in England and as a result trade unions or 'friendly societies' were viewed with suspicion. In the 1830's this came to a head in the small town of Tolpuddle in Dorset, where six poor farm labourers met under a tree to form the 'Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers', to protest wage cuts. They were arrested, tried and sentenced to transportation to Australia on the basis of a legal technicality. The cause of George Loveless and the Tolpuddle Martyrs became a symbol of the struggle for workers' rights and contributed to the growth of trade unions and the labour movement in Britain and around the world. Tom De Wit is the Curator of the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum and he joins Marc Fennell (Stuff The British Stole, Mastermind) from Tolpuddle to share this incredible story. Binge all the episodes of No One Saw It Coming now on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch: Got a story for us? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at noonesawitcoming@
National Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
CUPE 5525 Members Receive Support From the Ontario Nurses Association as Strike Drags on at Villa Colombo
Article content TORONTO — Striking workers from the Villa Colombo Supportive Housing Unit are thankful that their struggle isn't going unnoticed by the wider labour movement. These personal care workers are members of CUPE 5525 and have been on the picket line since May 28 th outside the care residences, operated by Villa Colombo Home for the Aged and Villa Charities at Dufferin and Lawrence. Article content The Ontario Nurses Association added their union to the growing list of supportive organizations, unions and community members, who want to see a fair deal for the members of CUPE 5525. In a letter addressed to the directors of Villa Colombo and Villa Charities, the ONA calls on the employer to end their use of scab labour and return to the table with an offer that respects the skill and dedication these workers bring to their roles. Article content Article content 'Rather than bargaining a fair deal, you are paying staffing agencies to provide scab labour at a higher rate than you pay your own workers. That is shameful and has resulted in sub-standard care in your homes. Your residents have shared their unhappiness with replacement workers who are not trained or certified to the standards of CUPE 5525 members.' Article content ONA's Provincial President, Erin Ariss and Regional Vice President, Karen McKay-Eden, along with members of the ONA, reinforced the CUPE 5525 picket line and provided lunch for the striking workers. Article content At issue for the union members are fair pay, sick days, and a benefits package that will enable these workers to provide the best care possible for the residents of the buildings they service. The employer's last proposal contained significant concessions to the working conditions of these workers. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content For more information: Article content Article content Article content
