WORKERS at the Village Hotel in Govan will be balloted for further industrial action as they fight for trade union recognition and the Real Living Wage, Unite Hospitality announced today.

It comes just months after the staff staged the first strike at a major British hotel since 1979, successfully securing an end to zero-hours contracts, alongside pay parity, for many, with other company employees in Edinburgh.

But a fresh dispute is now looming after the company, owned by one of the world’s wealthiest firms, Blackstone, claimed it could not afford to pay workers at its Pub & Grill and Starbucks departments the Real Living Wage of £12.60 an hour.

Announcing the strike ballot, Unite Hospitality national chairman Nick Troy said: “Our members at Village Hotels broke new ground in the summer by winning a historic victory.

“They’re now back to challenge an employer who told them there wasn’t money for the Real Living Wage while boasting about an endless stream of cash from their American investors.”

Pub & Grill shop steward Daniel Friel warned: “The precarity which Village imposes on their staff has served only to expand our membership as workers grow tired of being underpaid.

“The ball is now in Village’s court to come to the table and offer our members the Real Living Wage.”

Lead rep in Starbucks Stella Small slammed the company for paying the “lowest wage out of any other franchised Starbucks in Glasgow,” adding: “I hope this strike can demonstrate to Starbucks workers across the UK that you don’t have to accept the bare minimum when it comes to pay and treatment. 

“The company is not able to function without its workers.” 

Village Hotels was contacted for comment.