Staff at a major Walsall hotel are set to protest outside their workplace during England’s opening World Cup game this week in a row over pay.
The protest outside the Village Hotel on Tempus Drive will kick off more than three weeks of strike action for workers across hospitality, gym, events, reception and housekeeping departments.
Union demands Living Wage
Unite The Union said workers are taking the action in response to what it calls the ‘company’s failure’ to pay the Living Wage rate of £13.45, as well as its ‘refusal’ to pay younger workers the same pay as their older colleagues in the same jobs. The union also claimed the company has failed to recognise Unite for collective bargaining.
Industrial action could impact the Village Hotel bar and grill services during the busy World Cup period when fans will be watching matches on the venue’s big screens.
Strike dates
Workers plan to strike on 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28 and 30 June and 2, 4, 7 and 10 July.
Unite’s national lead for hospitality, Bryan Simpson said: “For almost two months, these workers have done everything right. They raised serious concerns collectively, they followed procedure and they gave Village Hotels every opportunity to resolve this dispute. Instead, they were ignored.
“Workers have stood together and delivered a resounding vote for strike action. The message to the company is clear. If you want to avoid disruption during some of your busiest and most profitable weeks of the year, get around the table and negotiate. These workers won’t be ignored any longer.”
A spokesperson for Village Hotels said: “A small minority of our Walsall team voted in favour of industrial action. Our focus remains on engaging directly with our teams and ensuring guests can enjoy all that Village has to offer during the World Cup.”
