Draughts workers shut down Stratford and Waterloo bars with strike action
“We are trying to let them know that we are not going to just roll over or quiet-quit, like a lot of people have suggested. We are not going to simply accept that because this is a hospitality job we don’t deserve to be able to plan our lives, to be able to rely on the money that we can project when we see the rota that we have, and simply that we can expect to be treated like normal human beings.” Brune, a bar worker (she/they) on strike.
Workers at Draughts board game bars in Stratford and Waterloo have walked out for their second and third strike days since 9 August, taking a stand against insecure and unsafe working conditions. The strike involves servers and bar staff who are demanding respect, stability, and safety at work.
Staff have been left in the lurch by exploitative zero-hours contracts, last-minute rota changes, and a lack of basic protections in the evenings when the bars are at their busiest. They are also calling for an end to QR code ordering, which cuts down on customer interaction and slashes tips.
Workers argue that their role is not just serving drinks but recommending and teaching board games, and replacing that with a phone app undermines both their skills and their income. “We are the part of hospitality in this very space that makes it different and that makes it worth it. And the fact that they are treating us like we are replaceable, is simply unacceptable” said Brune, a bar worker (she/they) on strike
Alongside scrapping QR codes, Draughts workers want fixed-hour contracts, fair rotas with proper notice, paid on-site training, and licensed security staff. “I think we are asking for pretty reasonable things, things that are achievable and attainable, things that will make your staff happy and also your customers happy.” said Shree, a bar worker on strike.
For months, management has ignored these demands, leaving staff financially insecure and unsafe at work. “It feels like the decisions being made now are being made from a place of arrogance and pride, and not practicality, which is sad” said Shree, a bar worker on strike.
The strike is part of a growing wave of hospitality action this summer. From hotels to bars, workers are showing they will no longer accept poverty pay, insecurity, or tech-driven corner-cutting while bosses profit. By taking bold strike action, Draughts workers are proving that even in precarious industries, staff can come together and win change.
