Glasgow 13th Note staff launch petition as dispute continues

Workers at the 13th Note in Merchant City have begun a bid to garner more backing after a three-month wrangle with the owner over their working environment and calls to be paid the Real Living Wage. 

Results of a ballot among employees over a potential strike will be returned this week and are expected to show overwhelming support for a walkout – unless management urgently address ongoing concerns.

The latest disruption comes just two weeks after dozens of hospitality workers from neighbouring pubs, hotels and bars waved placards outside and inside the King Street venue in a powerful show of support.

In a statement to the Glasgow Times, employees say unresolved issues continue to centre around trade union recognition and working conditions at the venue.

Staff told how they hope the new petition – which has been posted on megaphone.org.uk - can finally help bring a resolution.

Chef Nick Troy, 25, explained: “We had more than 114 signatures on the platform within hours of putting the petition live.

“We’ve had great support since we went public on the problems at the 13th Note, and we hope people will sign this and continue to show us that same level of backing.”

Nick Troy, Kay Logan, Brendan Armstrong and Fraser Jack (Image: Newsquest)

Nick says that management has made some moves to try and address concerns but insists that these have not gone far enough to satisfy staff.

He added: “We have achieved substantial improvements to issues in the bar and kitchen, but many still remain.

“We had a meeting with the owners on Tuesday where we made a number of demands around the remaining problems. These included inadequate equipment to do our jobs, such as a lack of suitable knives and other cooking utensils. What has been done to remedy the points raised since that get-together just doesn’t cut it.

“We want to be recognised as members of a trade union. We also continue to deal with serious understaffing which is putting a serious strain on the mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce, and people have simply had enough.”

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Bryan Simpson, who organises hospitality staff for Unite, told the Glasgow Times that the trade union is still willing to negotiate, but admits that patience is beginning to wear thin.

He added: “We have given management ample opportunity over a period of three months to resolve the issues raised.

“Equipment has been provided since our meeting that is completely unfit. Instead of investing in the equipment that our members need to do their jobs, the owners have instead opted to spend that money hiring lawyers from some of the most prestigious firms in the country to continue to fight us.”

We previously told how a formal grievance was lodged earlier this year by the workforce, who claim that more than half of the points raised within it still remain unaddressed.

Workers say that as of yesterday, 59% of the issues are still live.

Mr Simpson added: “As we have made clear to management for several weeks now, we believe the conditions our members are working under pose a serious and imminent threat to their health and unless urgent improvements are made, our members will be left with no other option but to take industrial action to protect themselves and their colleagues.”

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Owners of the 13th Note say that they remain committed to creating a positive working environment and have denied they are unwilling to recognise Unite or listen to the workforce's concerns.

In a statement sent to the Glasgow Times the owner said: “There are plenty of knives and pans in the venue. I was asked for a new wok a few weeks ago and a manager picked one up. It was a British standard wok designed to be used on gas appliances. The chef disapproved and he was supplied with another one to his preference.

"I have no breaches according to a health and safety inspector and specialist who was in the venue last week. Staff at 13th Note are all paid more than the minimum wage and have always been entitled to paid breaks."