Manchester City Council has told management at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel that it will potentially withdraw its provisional booking for the Best of Manchester Awards ceremony in October.

A letter seen by Unite shows that it was written by MCC's deputy leader Garry Bridge to management. In it, he expresses support for striking workers at Kimpton Clocktower and its bar and restaurant The Refuge.

Mr Bridge also calls for management to engage positively with Unite workers seeking recognition and adds that should the matter not be resolved, MCC will review future and existing bookings at the venue.

However, Unite has still not received a response from Kimpton Clocktower owner InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) around the letter.

The event is set to take place at the Kimpton Clocktower on October 23. This is a newly-launched awards that celebrates people, groups and organisations who have gone the extra mile to help Manchester.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "The way IHG has behaved has been a complete disgrace. Refusing to give recognition to its hardworking staff and engaging in union busting rather than resolving the dispute is a shameful tactic and it is little wonder it is now facing event cancellations from MCC.

"IHG must change tack and listen to Unite and MCC otherwise it will continue to see its business impacted by strike action. Our members continue to have our full support until this dispute is resolved."

The dispute centres around IHG's refusal to give Unite members recognition, despite weeks of attempted negotiation from the union. Meanwhile, IHG management also sacked two Unite representatives on trumped-up charges after workers began organising.

Workers at Kimpton Clocktower and The Refuge have also escalated strike action. They will now walk out on 31 July to 2 August, coinciding with events planned around Manchester Trans Pride and 7 to 9 August.

Previous industrial action on 30 June and earlier this month impacted events at The Refuge, including viewing parties for the recent World Cup. The bar closed early as there were not enough staff to cover it, causing a financial hit to the business.

Unite regional officer Alison Treacher said: "All our members at Kimpton Clocktower want is to be represented at work by Unite, in order to improve their conditions and end this culture of union busting.

"However, instead of resolving the dispute, IHG has chosen to victimise our members and treat them with contempt. Until IHG management give Unite members official recognition industrial action will continue."

This is the first ever hospitality sector strike in the North West. Unite is currently running a petition demanding IHG UK to stop targeting union activists, recognise the Kimpton workers rights to have their grievance heard collectively and support their union recognition campaign.

ENDS

Notes to editors

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