28.08.2026 / Press releases / BUTLINS

Butlin’s accused of union-busting as new staff brought in on better terms while company refuses to meet striking workers 

For immediate release  
   
28 August 2026  

• Butlin’s Resort in Bognor Regis has been accused of union-busting after reportedly bringing in new Resort Safety Officers on better terms while refusing to meet existing striking workers and their union.  
   

• New recruits are reportedly being offered around £15 an hour, free food, accommodation and transportation, while existing Resort Safety Officers are seeking a rise to £14 an hour, alongside improvements to staffing, safety, equipment, breaks and working conditions.  
   

• UVW members are due to strike at Butlin’s Bognor Regis from 28 August, with further strike dates in September and continuous action planned from 21 September if the dispute remains unresolved.  
   

• UVW union says it has repeatedly offered to negotiate, but Butlin’s has refused to meet with the workers and their union; the union is calling on CEO Jon Hendry Pickup to enter urgent negotiations and resolve the dispute.  
   

Butlin’s has been accused of attempting to undermine striking Resort Safety Officers by bringing in new staff reportedly on better terms and conditions — including pay of around £15 an hour, free food, accommodation and transportation — while refusing to meet with the workers and their union to resolve the dispute. 
 

The development comes on the eve of strike action by Resort Safety Officers at Butlin’s Bognor Regis, who are due to begin industrial action over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 
 

Members of United Voices of the World (UVW) voted unanimously for industrial action following concerns over staffing levels, safety, equipment, breaks, pay and working conditions. Strike action is scheduled for 28–30 August, 4–7 September and 10–15 September, escalating to continuous action from 21 September unless the dispute is resolved. 
 

UVW union says it has repeatedly called for negotiations, but Butlin’s has refused to sit down with the workers and their chosen union. 
 

At the eleventh hour, UVW offered Butlin’s a range of dates and times this week to meet and resolve the dispute before strike action began. 
 

Instead, the company has chosen to bring in additional staff whose training on the operational needs of the resort has been described as “questionable” by some staff members. 
 

UVW union has condemned the move, particularly reports that new workers are being offered around £15 an hour, free food, accommodation and transportation, while existing Resort Safety Officers are fighting for a pay rise to £14 an hour, alongside improvements to staffing, equipment, breaks, workplace practices and union recognition. 

Nelly Ospino, UVW General Secretary, said: 
 

“This is a deeply troubling development. Our members have repeatedly said that they want to work, they want to keep Butlin’s guests safe, and they want to resolve this dispute through negotiation. At the eleventh hour, we offered Butlin’s dates and times to meet this week. But instead of sitting down with the workers and their union, Butlin’s appears to be engaging in union-busting behaviour. If Butlin’s has the resources to bring in new workers on reportedly better terms, it should have the resources to properly value the people who are already doing this vital job.the door to negotiations remains open, but that responsibility now rests with Butlin’s CEO and management”.  
 

UVW members are seeking a pay rise to £14 an hour, the recruitment of at least five additional permanent Resort Safety Officers, improvements to equipment and breaks, safer staffing levels and workplace practices, union recognition, and the reinstatement of a colleague they believe was unfairly dismissed.  
 

Adam, a Resort Safety Officer and UVW member, said: 
 

“We are being told there is no need to meet with us, while new people are apparently being brought in on better terms. If Butlin’s can offer £15 an hour, free food, accommodation and transportation, to new staff, why can’t the company offer decent terms to the people who have already been doing this job and keeping its guests safe?” 
 

UVW says its members are not seeking confrontation but instead want to work, keep Butlin’s guests safe and reach a negotiated settlement with management. 
 

The dispute comes as Butlin’s celebrates its 90th anniversary. 
 

UVW is calling on Butlin’s CEO Jon Hendry Pickup and the company’s management to meet immediately with the Resort Safety Officers and their union to prevent further escalation. 

ENDS 
 

Notes to editors 
 

• Resort Safety Officers at Butlin’s Bognor Regis voted 100% in favour of strike action. 

• Confirmed strike dates are 28–30 August, 4–7 September and 10–15 September, followed by continuous action from 21 September. 

• The Resort Safety Officers are represented by United Voices of the World (UVW). 

• The dispute centres on staffing, safety, equipment, pay, breaks, workplace practices and union recognition. 
   

For further information, contact the UVW communications team:
   
 
Isabel: 07706 987443
   
Email: comms@uvwunion.org.uk 

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