In an industry renowned for low pay, insecurity and competitiveness, a group of workers
are getting together to fight for respect and better wages. ---- They all work in cafes,
restaurants, canteens and hotels in Brighton and Hove and have decided enough is enough.
---- They are sick of being expected to work trial shifts for no wages, having
administration charges deducted from their tips, working ten hour shifts with no breaks
and being bullied by management. ---- It is routine for workers to turn up for a shift
only to be sent away unpaid because the restaurant is quiet, some have not been paid wages
owed by their boss and have been forced into periods of homelessness. ---- Add to this the
increasing threat of raids by the UK Border Agency and the general precarious nature of
the work and people are really pissed off.
This is why Solidarity Federation have
formed Brighton Hospitality Workers
(BHW) to campaign for better
conditions.
When questioned about these
grievances industry spokesperson
Warwick Hunt said, 'Of course we'd
like to treat these people like human
beings but we can't if we are to keep
up our profits. My skiing trip won't pay
for itself. Anyway, what do they
expect? Our money pays their wages
so what we say goes'.
In response, a BHW spokesperson
said. 'See how much profit they can
make without us. Their customers
can't eat money'.
Bosses are clearly worried about
this new development. In a city where
posters advertising club nights and
student deals remain up for weeks,
BHW's posters are regularly taken
down or defaced. We can only assume
this is done by exploiters running
scared. The good news is that these
posters have been seen by fed up
workers who have got in touch.
Bosses are right to be concerned.
BHW have notched up several
victories against employers who have
owed back pay and holiday
entitlement. Three bosses have
already agreed to cough up over
?1 000 between them to three former
employees and members of BHW, two
of whom were a multinational hotel
chain and an transnational
employment agency.
As part of the campaign to assert
the rights and dignity of those who
actually create the profits in this
industry, BHW are compiling a list of
dodgy businesses. If your employer
treats staff badly call our Shop Your
Boss hotline on 07561 1 85 204 and
tell us what they are up to. Watch this
space for the upcoming Rogues'
Gallery.
And if you're an employer and want
to give us feedback on how the
campaign is affecting your business
your comments are always valued.
Call our 24-hour hotline on 0800-
KISS-MY-ARSE.
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* Newsletter of the Solidarity Federation - Brighton Local solfed.org.uk/local/brighton
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