Unions back Glasgow 13th Note staff at Merchant City demo

Members of Unite the Union and Clydeside Industrial Workers of the World picketed outside and inside the 13th Note in the Merchant City after staff there held a workplace ballot to consider legal or industrial action after a long running dispute.

Members have been asked by union chiefs to now escalate the row - which has been ongoing since March - after they told them efforts to find a resolution with the owner had broken down.

Union officials joined workers from bars across the city as they turned out to demand fair treatment for their colleagues. Dozens chanted in the street before staging a further protest inside the venue.

Photo: Gordon Terris (Image: Newsquest)

The scenes come after the Glasgow Times told how a formal grievance had been lodged earlier this year by 80% of the workforce amid allegations of issues with pay and contracts.

Unite says its members now have 'no choice’ but to escalate the dispute and consider further action unless there's a firm commitment from management to tackle pay, contracts and recognition of the trade union body.

Despite drawn out negotiations, workers say most of their main concerns remain unaddressed, leading to Friday's scenes.

Chef Nick Troy, 25, exclusively told the Glasgow Times: “We still face staffing shortages and issues with contracts, and these problems are putting added strain on struggling workers. Staff have had enough and want a resolution.

“We are now considering our next steps, possibly industrial and legal action, if we don't see movement. We are sick of being pushed to the brink and won’t accept this any longer.”

The bar's owner told the Glasgow Times that the business was not in a position to bend to all of the union’s demands.

They added: “I would reiterate that all staff are paid above minimum wage and industry standard.

“All have been issued with contracts, with the guaranteed hours they requested and with increased rates of pay. It is categorically untrue that there are serious health and safety concerns in the venue which pose a threat to customers and staff.

“I have taken the grievance lodged by staff very seriously and have participated fully in any negotiations proposed. The 13th Note is a small independent business and it is simply not economically viable to meet every demand made by the union.”

Bryan Simpson, who organises hospitality staff for Unite the Union, says the strong turnout proves that people have been pushed to the very brink.

He added: “It’s now 11 weeks since our members lodged a collective grievance with evidence of a litany of issues.

“Many of these remain unresolved and the employer is refusing to negotiate over pay and contracts, which have still not been issued properly.

“Our members are now voting in a workplace consultative ballot and have been asked if they are prepared to escalate this dispute and take legal and industrial action if pay, contracts and conditions are not improved?

“We need the owner to stop treating workers with contempt and to get round the table with us.”

We previously revealed how 13th Note sound engineer Fraser Jack was having to take on other jobs to survive.

The 20-year-old, who lives in Glasgow's Southside, described his level of pay as ‘very poor'.

He added: “The pay is awful. I’m having to juggle other work just to keep my head above water.

“The staff are great, but people there have had enough now, we just want to be treated properly.”

Venue manager Kay Logan, 28, also called on the owners to address the serious points outlined within the grievance.

She added: “We don’t want to damage the business, but we need the owner to recognise our union representation. We want to come to an agreement where we can all continue to do the jobs we enjoy, but with fairer conditions.”