2 days ago
Jeremy Corbyn to address picket in historic Glasgow hotel strike
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will address a picket at a Glasgow hotel where workers are engaged in a historic strike action.
Hospitality staff who are Unite members at the Village Hotel are engaged in the first walkout at a major chain since 1979, as they seek to win a real living wage, paid breaks and pay equality with colleagues in Edinburgh.
The action began on August 2, with the first picket the following day.
Unite Hospitality has now announced that Mr Corbyn, who has formed a new political party with Zarah Sultana, will address the picket on Friday, August 22.
Nick Troy, national chair for Unite Hospitality said: "Our members at Village Hotels are on the frontline of a growing movement to reshape Britain's economy in favour of working people.
"For too long, these workers, like millions across Scotland and Britain, have been subject to poverty pay, pay inequality, job insecurity, and so much more.
"Until they organised themselves collectively, they had no avenues with which to credibly address the issues they faced in work.
"Since this dispute started, they have won significant improvements to working conditions at Village. However, their employer continues to push back on key demands around pay equality and trade union recognition. That is why they have taken the historic decision to go on strike, becoming the first hotel workers to take industrial action in Britain since 1979.
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"Unite Hospitality is proud to stand with our members in their fight for better pay, better conditions, and ultimately a better life. Hospitality workers will no longer tolerate the abusive and exploitative conditions which have come to characterise our industry. Across this island, the most precarious workers are organising, and our members at Village Hotels are leading the way."
Lindsay Southward, Group Director of Operations & People, Village Hotels, said: 'Of our 125 team members at Village Hotel Glasgow, only 13 voted for 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 competitive employee benefits including two free memberships to Village Health & Wellness Clubs, subsidised food and drink, and discounts on all overnight stays.'
