In a powerful display of solidarity, Unite — the leading union for hospitality workers — has called out management at Manchester’s landmark Kimpton Clocktower Hotel for what it describes as blatant union busting tactics. The intervention comes after staff at the hotel and its adjoining restaurant, The Refuge, took the brave decision to organise for better working conditions.
Workers initially came together after enduring a catalogue of unacceptable practices: chronic understaffing leading to fatigue and burnout, problems with sick pay, and shifts scheduled with less than the legal minimum of 11 hours’ rest between them. In response, staff made the decision to join Unite and seek formal union recognition — a move that should be met with respect, not retaliation.
Instead, management responded with intimidation. One Unite representative was suspended and later dismissed on what the union calls unfair charges, after helping to file a collective grievance. Another representative remains suspended, awaiting a disciplinary hearing. Unite has made clear that it believes both members were targeted for carrying out legitimate trade union activities — something that is illegal under UK employment law.
The hostility hasn’t stopped there. Workers who have joined the union have reportedly faced derogatory comments from management. Yet far from silencing staff, these tactics appear to have backfired: more members are joining Unite every day.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, did not mince words: “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.”
The Kimpton Clocktower is no small independent outfit — it is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s largest hotel chains. IHG recently posted a 13 per cent increase in operating profit, reaching $1.27 billion. Workers are demanding to know why a company enjoying such vast profitability feels the need to attack the very staff who generate its success.
Fraser McGuire, Unite hospitality project worker, added: “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.”
This dispute sends a clear message: when workers stand together, they cannot be silenced. Unite is standing firm, and the workers of Kimpton Clocktower are proving that solidarity is stronger than intimidation.
Source: Unite