CAFE workers who were refused access to the furlough scheme by their former bosses at Singl-end have sent a letter to the company asking it to reconsider its position.

The collective, made up of 80 per cent of front of house staff at the Garnethill branch, said the decision has left some of them struggling to pay for essentials such as food, rent and electricity.

They are now being represented by Unite Hospitality, which has been supporting workers across the industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Monteleone Group, which owns Singl-end, confirmed it will respond to its former staff.

READ MORE: Workers miss out on vital help as Singl-end cafe refuses to re-hire and furlough

Unite organiser Bryan Simpson said: "The Government has offered businesses like these a perfectly reasonable alternative to dismissal and redundancy and yet they have chosen to dismiss their loyal workforce.

"We urge the owners of Singl-end to engage with ourselves and to do the right thing and reinstate these workers as part of the Government scheme."

The staff were let go by the Monteleone Group in March. They asked to be re-hired and furloughed, as government guidance allows, but were rejected.

Monteleone said over 95 per cent of staff from all departments were successfully transitioned on to the furlough scheme.

The letter, signed by seven former workers, expresses their concerns over "the way we have been treated by yourselves as our employer". It asks for a response to be sent to the trade union.

They say they are aware of the "serious implications" of the pandemic for the hospitality industry but urge the company to reinstate all staff and make use of the job retention scheme.

"We have worked tirelessly for the company and it is now up to you to stand by us," they add. "For many of us, this loss of income will lead us to be unable to afford essentials such as food, housing, electricity and gas.

"Some of us have children who depend on our income. Some of us have mental health issues which have been exacerbated by the knowledge that we have no income coming in, and will have a job search ahead of us."

When asked for a response to the letter by the Glasgow Times, a spokesman for Monteleone said: "We would like to refer you to our previous statement on the matter and can confirm we will reply to the letter from our former employees in due course."

The company previously said: "Through these turbulent and worrying times for us all we would like to thank all the employees who have worked with us over this period.

"We are pleased to have successfully transitioned over 95 per cent of our staff from all departments including cleaners, glass collectors, floor staff, chefs, kitchen porters and managers whether they are part time or full time onto the government furlough scheme.

"Our goal here at Monteleone is to ensure as many staff as possible are with us whilst we weather this storm, until we are allowed to reopen."