Bar workers strike a resounding note as industrial action begins at Glasgow pub

Unite members working for 13^th Note take strike action as concerns remain

Unite the union can confirm that workers at the 13^th Note in Glasgow will begin strike action today (14 July) following the failure of the pub's owners to deal with concerns over pay and the health and safety of the workforce.

Unite represents 95 per cent of the workers employed at the venue with 100 per cent of members voting to support strike action. The escalating dispute centres on the trade union’s campaign to secure better wages, improvements to health and safety, as well as achieving trade union recognition for the workers at one of Glasgow's best known music venues. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members at the 13^th Note bar in Glasgow are striking following the failure of the owners to make improvements on pay and on health and safety concerns. In what has become one of the first bar workers’ strikes in over 20 years, we support them and hope the owners now recognise the strength of the collective. These workers deserve credit for standing up for their rights in an industry that is riding roughshod over staff. Unite will back them 100 per cent in their demands for better pay and safer working conditions."

Unite can further confirm that the strike action at the 13^th Note will start on Friday 14 July, and last for 48 hours in the first instance. It will then take place every weekend until 6 August. 

A meeting with Acas has been set up for 19^th July when both Unite and the owners of 13^th Note will try to seek a path through this dispute.

Unite’s lead rep at 13^th Note, Nick Troy, added: “The owners of 13^th Note should be under no illusion that improvements to wages, health and safety, as well as union recognition, are the only way this rift will be sorted. This action is a reflection of our determination to ensure fair treatment. The continuation of the strike action beyond this weekend is not inevitable if the concerns and demands of the workforce are resolved. Unite remains hopeful that talks at ACAS could avert further action.”

ENDS