15.06.2022 / Press releases / Saint James Tavern

Bar staff claim union busting at Saint James Tavern, Brighton

Bar staff claim union busting at Saint James Tavern, Brighton

• Bar staff and UVW members at the Saint James Tavern in Brighton have been called into disciplinary proceedings just days after sending bosses notification of official strike dates, following a lawful ballot

• The workers have been accused of having defamed and brought the business into disrepute in the media and social media but have jot been provided with any evidence
• UVW and supporters across the union movement are calling on the pub landlords to drop these disciplinary meetings and enter into good faith negotiations with the workers and their union.

Tris Houseman, St James’ Tavern, bar supervisor and UVW member, said: 

“We believe these claims are unfounded and a response to us proposing lawful industrial action and being active union members. All of us feel that these claims are trade union victimisation. We’re all upset by the owners focusing their effort and finances into what we feel is an attack on ourselves rather than supporting our demands for a full sick pay scheme, £11.50 an hour, 24 hour response security team, and end to zero hour contracts and no cuts to staff hours.”

Petros Elia, general secretary for UVW, accused the pub landlords of gross infringements of UVW members’ trade union rights and called on them to: 

“strongly reconsider your position and nullify the unlawful proceedings you have commenced and instead enter into good faith negotiations with us so that we may bring an end to this dispute, and hopefully avert the strike action due to take place on 25th June. We are available for talks at any time with or without the services of ACAS.”

UVW supporters are using an online tool to email the pub bosses.

For further information contact the UVW communications team.  

E-mail: comms@uvwunion.org.uk

Cristina: 07548 759340
Jim: 07749 765264
Isabel: 07706987443

Notes for editors:

UVW is an anti-racist, member-led, direct action, campaigning trade union and we exist to support and empower the most vulnerable groups of precarious, low-paid and predominantly Black, brown and migrant workers in the UK. We fight the bosses through direct action on the streets and through the courts and demand that all members receive at least the London Living Wage, full pay, sick pay, dignity, equality and respect.  

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