Unite, the leading union representing hospitality workers, has criticised the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel for engaging in union busting tactics after staff began to organise for better conditions.

Workers at the Kimpton Clocktower, as well as its restaurant The Refuge, made the decision a few months ago to join Unite and move towards formal union recognition after enduring poor conditions including chronic understaffing leading to fatigue and burnout, issues with sick pay and having less than 11 hours (the legal minimum) between shifts.

However, after filing a collective grievance one Unite representative was suspended then later dismissed on unfair charges, while another has been suspended and is awaiting a disciplinary hearing. Unite believes the two members of staff were targeted for undertaking trade union activities, which is illegal in UK employment law.

Workers who have joined the union have also been on the receiving end of derogatory comments from management. However, more members of staff are joining Unite daily.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a clear case of union busting, pure and simple. Unite will never stand idly by and allow our reps and members to be bullied by management or be singled out for their union activities.

"We will always do whatever it takes to defend our reps. Instead of threatening workers, Kimpton management must enter talks on Unite recognition and reinstate the staff members they unfairly sacked."

Luxury hotel the Kimpton Clocktower is a major landmark in Manchester. It is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which is one of the biggest hotel chains in the world and had a 13 per cent increase in operating profit to $1.27 billion last year.

Unite hospitality project worker Fraser McGuire said: “Despite regular threats from management towards our members at Kimpton Clocktower and The Refuge and the dismissal and suspension of union leaders, Unite’s membership is growing day by day.

“This shows the strength of feeling among workers at Kimpton. They are standing together in the face of management hostility and will not back down until they win better conditions and their colleagues are reinstated. Unite will never stand for union busting and bullying and this dispute is no exception.”

Unite has launched a petition for 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

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org