03.08.2022 / Press releases /

Brighton pub workers suspend strike action while talks proceed 

Press release

Brighton pub workers suspend strike action while talks proceed 

• Bar workers at the Saint James Tavern (SJT) in Brighton have suspended industrial action as a gesture of goodwill as talks with the leaseholders take place

• Planned strike days included 20 non-consecutive days in July and August, including Brighton Pride and the August Bank Holiday

• Talks between United Voices of the World (UVW) officials representing the striking workers and lawyers for the leaseholders to be mediated by ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

The workers at the SJT pub in Brighton have suspended their impending strike action, due to take place over Brighton Pride weekend, as a gesture of goodwill as talks with the leaseholders take place with the mediation of ACAS.

They had planned to be on strike for 20 days in July and August, including the weekends of Brighton Pride and the August Bank Holiday, as part of their fight for better terms and conditions and demand for respect in the workplace. 

The workers are demanding an end to zero-hours contracts, a minimum pay rise for all bar staff to £11.50 per hour, a full sick pay scheme, a security response team on site and voluntary union recognition. Also, reinstatement of workers sacked or suspended since strike action began.

Hundreds of supporters from the Brighton local community and the wider union movement joined their first two vibrant strike rallies, including local MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, as well as Labour and Green Party councillors. Hundreds have emailed the landlords demanding justice.

Their first two peaceful and joyful pickets were met with physical assaults and the unjust sacking of strike leader Jake, who’s applied for interim relief. Other striking workers were also suspended. 

Jake Marvin, unjustly sacked SJT strike leader and a UVW member, said:

“After months of action the lease holders of the SJT have finally come forward for negotiations. This shows the power we have as a united working class and that together we can improve our conditions within hospitality and beyond.”

Kate Flood, a union organiser for UVW, said:

“Five months after asking them to sit down and negotiate with us, we welcome the news that bosses at Saint James Tavern have finally agreed to come to the negotiating table. Industrial action has been suspended in good faith, and if bosses concede to the very reasonable demands of the workers – reinstatement, fair wages, and job security – we will be able to bring this needlessly protracted dispute to an end. It is testament to the will of these workers, the strength of their support, and the power of the picket line, that they have not wavered in this fight and we hope that bosses will do the right thing and deliver on demands once we begin talks this week.”

For further information contact the UVW comms team.

E-mail: comms@uvwunion.org.uk    

Notes for editors

United Voices of the World 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 BAME 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.

Previous UVW press releases about the SJT dispute

• Brighton pub workers  defy violent union-busting  by issuing fresh strike dates 
• Striking worker assaulted by union-busting boss at Stonegate-leased pub in Brighton 
• Strike leader suspended ahead of historic strike by Brighton pub workers
• Brighton bar staff launch two days of strike action for better pay and conditions 
• Brighton bar staff unanimously vote to strike for better pay and conditions, job security and respect at work 
• Brighton bar staff vote on strike action over pay and conditions, and sue their employer for alleged harassment, sexism and transphobia

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