During Eurovision week (8 May to 13 May) in Liverpool, Unite, the UK’s leading union, will launch a drive to win fair treatment and pay for the city’s hospitality workers with a number of events. 

Next week, Liverpool will see a huge influx of visitors as it hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, bringing in millions of extra revenue for the city’s hospitality industry. While Eurovision is a cause for celebration in Liverpool, low paid workers in bars, restaurants and hotels will face a huge increase in workloads. 

Fairness for hospitality workers

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Liverpool’s hospitality employers will be taking full advantage of the boom in custom during Eurovision. Meanwhile, the low pay and insecure work hospitality staff suffer will continue, with no share in the rewards reaped by the contest, despite them bearing the brunt of the extra work. 

“That’s why during Eurovision and after it, Unite will be helping Liverpool’s hospitality workers to organise collectively. Unite is intent on giving them the tools and support they need to force employers into addressing their concerns and paying a proper living wage.”

UnionVision is being launched during Eurovision week as part of Unite’s drive for Liverpool hospitality workers to be paid at least the Real Living Wage of £10.90 per hour. Unite is also working to ensure  hospitality workers in the city to be on secure contracts, to receive 100 per cent of their tips and be free from sexual harassment and abuse.

Extra pressure 

Unite hospitality organiser Caitlin Lee said: “Unite is concerned that employers will use Eurovision as an opportunity to grab the extra millions the competition will bring in, but pass nothing on to their workers but more pressure and worse working conditions. 

“It does not have to be this way – Eurovision is a chance for employers to raise their game and show the world they are leading the way in treating workers fairly. Unite calls on them to grant the union access to workplaces to ensure this happens.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Unite will be launching the UnionVision campaign at the Ship Inn (133 Dale St, Liverpool, L2 2JH) at 1830hrs on Tuesday 9 May. Hospitality workers interested in unionising are invited to attend.

Organising workshops for hospitality workers will also be held on Wednesday 10 May between 1000 and 1300hrs and Thursday 11 May between 1400 and 1600 hours at Friends Meeting House (22 School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BT). Hospitality workers interested in unionising are invited to attend.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.