[Scotland] Historic strike action at Village Glasgow Hotel

In Scotland, Village Glasgow Hotel, one of the city’s major hotels, is poised to be hit by all-out strike action from August 2, Unite the Union reports.

According to Unite, the industrial action will be the first strike at a major hotel since the chambermaids went out at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel back in 1979. 

On July 15, Unite members returned an overwhelming mandate for industrial action. One hundred per cent voted yes to strike action on an 81 per cent turnout. A public demonstration in support of the strike will take place on August 3.

The dispute is reportedly over the following issues:

• The real living wage of £12.60 - the majority of workers are paid the National Minimum Wage

• Equal pay - younger workers are paid as little as £10

• Failure to pay for breaks

Sharon Graham - Unite general secretary - said, “Unite will have the back of our Village Glasgow hotel workers as they begin historic strike action. At the heart of this dispute is a fight over decent pay and working conditions. This is a wealthy company which is short-changing its hardworking staff. Unite will support these workers 100 per cent every step in their fight."

Workers at Village Glasgow previously won a backdated pay rise after Unite reps discovered there had been a significant wage disparity, which disproportionately affected young women. They also gained backdated pay for unpaid training over a period of up to two years. 

Village Hotels was bought by Blackstone, "the world's largest asset manager", on 24 June 2024. Blackstone reportedly has more than $1trillion in assets. In that same week, it reportedly told workers it couldn't afford a 39p pay rise after a £83m spend on new hotels and refurbishments.

Source: Unite the Union

(Quote via original reporting)

In Scotland, Village Glasgow Hotel, one of the city’s major hotels, is poised to be hit by all-out strike action from August 2, Unite the Union reports.

According to Unite, the industrial action will be the first strike at a major hotel since the chambermaids went out at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel back in 1979. 

On July 15, Unite members returned an overwhelming mandate for industrial action. One hundred per cent voted yes to strike action on an 81 per cent turnout. A public demonstration in support of the strike will take place on August 3.

The dispute is reportedly over the following issues:

• The real living wage of £12.60 - the majority of workers are paid the National Minimum Wage

• Equal pay - younger workers are paid as little as £10

• Failure to pay for breaks

Sharon Graham - Unite general secretary - said, “Unite will have the back of our Village Glasgow hotel workers as they begin historic strike action. At the heart of this dispute is a fight over decent pay and working conditions. This is a wealthy company which is short-changing its hardworking staff. Unite will support these workers 100 per cent every step in their fight."

Workers at Village Glasgow previously won a backdated pay rise after Unite reps discovered there had been a significant wage disparity, which disproportionately affected young women. They also gained backdated pay for unpaid training over a period of up to two years. 

Village Hotels was bought by Blackstone, "the world's largest asset manager", on 24 June 2024. Blackstone reportedly has more than $1trillion in assets. In that same week, it reportedly told workers it couldn't afford a 39p pay rise after a £83m spend on new hotels and refurbishments.

Source: Unite the Union

(Quote via original reporting)