Hospitality workers highlight fringe benefits

Members from Unite Hospitality held fringe meetings at this week’s Sector Conferences to highlight their current campaigns, and tell members from other sectors how they can support them.

The group also held a highly active stall throughout the week and explained some of the issues facing workers across the sector to delegates.

On Monday (18 November) they held a Unite Hospitality Rally which heard from a number of Unite members who work in the sector and who have been organising in their workplaces.

Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe is a Unite National Officer for Service Industries covering hospitality and explained how the sector is very difficult to organise in as members tend to be younger and in precarious employment with anti union employers.

Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe introduces the fringe meeting

Megan De Meo is Chair of the Unite’s South East Region Hospitality Branch. Megan works locally and explained how they have been organising across Brighton and Hove.

Megan said; “We have been asking workers about their experiences, and most are only too happy to talk to you about the issues facing them.”

“We started with the Unite “Get me home safely” campaign, which really struck a chord with many workers who finish late at night. As reps we have been able to work with employers to put policies around this in place.”

Amy Snell, Chair of the Edinburgh branch agreed that just talking to staff in the sector is important, “It’s about speaking to people and listening to their concerns, after all we are all workers.”

Amy Snell highlights issues facing hospitality workers

Claire Trevor, Branch Secretary of Unite the Union Hospitality East Midlands, also highlighted the way that managers across the sector can just be as exploited as other staff by the large corporations that own the businesses. 

Following the rally Colenso and the Hospitality members and reps headed off to take their message to  the hotels, bars and restaurants across Brighton to talk to staff about the union, and the benefits of joining.

Unite in Hospitality is growing fast as workers across the country realise the benefit of joining Unite and standing up for their rights.

They have a number of campaigns including “Get Me Home Safely”, fair tips and ensuring that staff work in safe, secure workplaces free from bullying and sexual harassment.

If you work in hospitality, or know someone who does, check out the “Unite in hospitality” website. 

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Mark Thomas