A TRADE union has successfully won several concessions for staff after a youth-led hospitality protest took place in Scotland’s largest city.
Unite Hospitality announced on Saturday they had secured an end to zero-hours contracts and a backdated pay rise for staff at Glasgow’s Village hotel after three weeks of strikes, voted for by 13 union members.
A 10% pay rise for staff members within Village's Food and Beverage team aged under 21, backdated to April 1, 2024, has been agreed, giving some employees up to £3000. A £400 payment for staff aged 21 or over who did not benefit from an equal pay uplift has been granted.
Village have also agreed to cover all tax and National Insurance payments in a move the union called “unprecedented”.
In an Instagram update, Unite Hospitality wrote: “This is not the end of their battle for full equal pay and the real living wage, but it’s an incredible achievement for these strikers who took on a hotel chain owned by the biggest asset management company in the world and won thousands for the lowest paid workers with the solid support of the first hotel strike in 46 years. “They are an inspiration to hotel workers everywhere, that if you unionise and take action collectively, you can win!”
🔥 Village Strike 🔥 Following 3 weeks of continuous strike action members at @Village_Hotels in Govan have won a 10% pay-rise backdated to April 2024 (with all tax/NI paid) & an end to zero hour contracts. Their fight for full equal pay and the real living wage continues! pic.twitter.com/EUFe5YOYGM
— Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) August 23, 2025
A Village spokesperson told The Caterer: “We are pleased to confirm that an agreement has been reached with Unite.
“We are proud of our track record as an employer and this decision enhances our already highly competitive package, which includes significant benefits and incentives, contributing to our market-leading employee loyalty and engagement scores.”
Between 100 and 150 protesters formed a picket on Friday outside the Govan establishment and were joined by former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
During the picket, Corbyn responded to claims in Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir Frankly that she had “never warmed” to the Islington North MP, saying he was “shocked” by her comments.
After answering questions relating to his new, unnamed party’s stance on Scottish independence – to which he said a second referendum was “fine by me” – Corbyn addressed the nature of his visit to Scotland.
“I’m here to support the picket this evening, I’m here to go to Music for the Many, I’m doing an event at the Edinburgh Festival tomorrow and, you know what, I’m delighted to be here in Scotland”, he said.
