The long-term effects of chemical weapons such as Agent Orange mean that the impact of war lasts well beyond a ceasefire
Latest editorial
Error message
An error occurred while searching, try again later.
Cinema workers join hospitality Santa strikes
Take a read of the latest Unite Hospitality Glasgow Strike Bulletin and hear from workers fighting for better pay and dignity at work
The catastrophe unfolding in Gaza – where Palestinians are freezing to death in tents – is not a natural disaster but a calculated outcome of Israel’s ongoing blockade, aid restrictions and continued violence, argues CLAUDIA WEBBE
CJ ATKINS argues that despite losing the election, Chile’s left remains big and organised and must unite to resist the new far-right government
Alba party leader KENNY MacASKILL makes some suggestions on how to save our pubs and reduce irresponsible drinking
After years of austerity and denial under a new Reform UK council, a failing Send service was pushed into the spotlight by staff, unions and parents — culminating in a £1.3m funding boost and a 50% increase in front-line workers. MARTIN PORTER explains
LAST Thursday, workers at Vue Cinema in St Enoch’s centre became the second hospitality workforce in Glasgow to take strike action this Christmas in the fight for the Real Living Wage, safe transport home, improved contracts and trade union recognition.
They join fellow Unite Hospitality Glasgow members at Village Hotels in Govan, who are currently in their second week of industrial action.
Stella Small, a member of the Village strike committee and one of the first Starbucks workers to take strike action in Britain at the hotel’s franchised store, commented:
“The public support we have received in recent weeks at our picket lines has been overwhelming. Our union membership has also expanded dramatically, now spanning three departments across the hotel, united by workers who refuse to accept poverty pay and poor conditions.
“We would like to send a message of solidarity to our friends at Vue cinema, who are absolutely right to call out the corporate greed that keeps wages low while profits soar. These companies have the resources to pay their workers fairly, they simply choose not to take responsibility.
“This moment is bigger than any one workplace. It is a collective stand against exploitation, and we are not backing down.”
Yusuf Kidwai, lead convener at VUE St Enoch’s, says: “Our unity and resolve only strengthens as we approach one week on the picket line. With no intention of giving up anytime soon, it is up to VUE to come to the negotiating table and treat us with respect as the workforce which is responsible for making St Enoch’s the most profitable VUE in the country.
“Alongside our friends on the picket line at Village, we hope to offer an example to young and precarious workers everywhere, to show that the road to a better future in work and in life is through collective industrial action.”
These strikes indicate a growing discontent amongst hospitality workers for the poverty wages, precarious contracts, and dangerous conditions which often accompany working the late-night industry which contributes £7-8 billion to the Scottish economy annually.
Both Village and VUE are owned by extraordinarily wealthy multinational investment firms like Blackstone, Barings LLC and Farallon Capital.
Unite Hospitality Glasgow branch committee extended festive greetings to striking workers across Scotland this Christmas:
“Unite Hospitality Glasgow would also like to extend our solidarity to our friends on the Diligenta, Bosch Rexroth, and Turner’s picket lines.
“Our struggles are one and the same; the only way forward for our class is to struggle together. Merry Christmas!”
Megapickets will be held at Village Hotel in Govan at 6pm on Thursday December 18, and at VUE St Enoch’s (Osbourne St entrance) at 3pm on Friday December 19.
