Young hospitality workers win pay rise in Glasgow hotel strike

Following three weeks of continuous strike action, hospitality workers at Village Hotels in Govan, Glasgow, have won a 10% backdated pay rise and an end to zero hours contracts.

Workers aged under 21 have secured the same rate of pay as older workers, matching the pay structure the hotel chain pays its workers in Edinburgh. Workers aged 21 and over received a £400 bonus payment.

Daniel Friel, national convener for the Unite union at Village Hotels said: “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 exploitative zero-hour contracts.”

Friel said that the “campaign to produce a fair and equal environment within Village Hotels will continue!”

The Govan strike and another dispute involving housekeepers, led by the United Voices of the World union in London’s Canary Wharf at the Radisson Blu international hotel chain, are showing that workers can secure real improvements.

The two strikes are the first to take place in the hotels sector since 1979.

The housekeepers at Radisson Blu have won pay rises, reduced workloads and the restoration of minimum hours following a two-day strike in August.