Labour Councillors stand in solidarity with bar staff from St James Tavern who are on strike this weekend. The bar staff voted unanimously to go on strike over pay and conditions, and they are taking legal action against their employers for alleged harassment and discrimination.

The determined group of workers and United Voices of the World (UVW) members claim they have been subjected to mistreatment for a long time, alongside poor working conditions. The situation was so dire that many felt compelled to quit their jobs and some of those remaining have second jobs due to their low wages.

Some of the striking workers have objections beyond pay and conditions, and are suing the St James Tavern in Kemptown over allegations of transphobia, sexism and anti-semitism.

One of the workers said they were striking for ‘the basic right of respect in the workplace, and for an end to exploitative zero-hour contracts’.

Labour Councillors have long pushed for better working conditions in the hospitality industry in Brighton & Hove, campaigning for more employers to pay the living wage, end zero hour contracts, recognise unions and ban unpaid trial shifts. We stand with these workers – keep up the fight, we are behind you every step of the way.