Unite members at Village Hotel Glasgow vote for strike action

Members of Unite, employed by Village Hotels in Glasgow, have overwhelmingly voted for strike action in a dispute over pay.

The group has called for a pay rise to the real living wage rate of £12.60 an hour for all staff, regardless of age, as well as paid breaks and backdated wages for those under 21 years old. 

They also want pay parity with workers at Village Edinburgh, who earn more for the same jobs.

Lindsay Southward, group director of operations & people at 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.”

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite backs hospitality workers and is very proud to support workers at Village Hotel who have delivered an historic vote in favour of strike action. 

“This is a wealthy company which is short-changing staff. Instead of vilifying workers Village Hotel should get round the negotiating table and give these workers a fair deal.

“Unite will be giving these workers 100 per cent support.”

Unite will now ask members across the hotel when they want to take industrial action, giving Village Hotel a short window to respond with an improved offer. 

Workers at Village in Glasgow have already secured a backdated pay rise after Unite representatives uncovered a significant wage gap that mainly affected young women, as well as back pay for unpaid training over up to two years.

Bryan Simpson, national lead for Unite hospitality, said: “Strike action will inevitably cause huge disruption at Village Hotel in Glasgow but this dispute is entirely of the company’s own making.

“The ball is now with Village Hotel’s senior management. 

“If they want to avoid the first hotel strike in nearly half a century, they must return to the negotiating table with a meaningful offer that includes equal pay, the real living wage, and paid breaks.”