Bolton Toby Carvery workers campaign for union recognition

Toby Carvery workers in Bolton have engaged in a campaign for union recognition, according to Unite.

Concerns over the distribution of tips, the setting of rotas and health and safety issues, has led to the workers’ demands for a formal recognition agreement with their employer.

Toby Carvery is owned by the UK’s largest pub operator Mitchells & Butlers, which also owns the All Bar One, Harvester and O’Neill’s chains.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Bolton’s Toby Carvery workers have had enough of their legitimate concerns being ignored by management.

“They will not be intimidated by Toby Carvery’s or Mitchells & Butlers’ anti-union behaviour.

“If the company won’t sign a voluntary recognition agreement, Unite will take steps to gain a legally enforceable one.

“Unite has these workers’ backs 100%.”

In response to Unite’s request for a voluntary recognition agreement at the Toby Carvery in Bolton, Mitchells and Butlers has written to Unite saying it does not recognise the union.

Unite will now make a request for enforceable statutory recognition to the Central Arbitration Committee, which oversees UK employment law.

Helen Flanagan, regional officer at Unite, said: “Low pay, unfair tips and rota allocations, bullying, harassment and health and safety concerns are endemic across the hospitality sector.

“Unfortunately, Mitchells & Butlers, like many major food and drink chains, doesn’t want unionised workplaces because it would force them to take action to tackle thBolton Toby Carvery workers in groundbreaking campaign for union recognitione poor treatment of staff.

“This is exactly what is happening at Toby Carvery Bolton and Unite will not stand for it.”

A spokesperson for Toby Carvery said: “A few team members, at Toby Carvery Bolton, have raised a number of points through M&B’s normal internal process, all of which are currently being investigated in full. 

“To suggest that such points have been ignored by management is simply untrue as the points were only received in recent days.

“Steps have already been taken to immediately address them, including the hearing by an independent manager.”