Workers at the Kimpton Clocktower hotel in Manchester are set to strike on one of the venue's busiest days of the year, as a long-running industrial dispute continues. Unite members at the hotel and its bar, The Refuge, will take 24 hours of strike action on August 29, the Saturday of Manchester Pride.
Strike coincides with Pride parade
The action falls on the same day as the Manchester Pride parade, which passes close to the hotel. The Kimpton Clocktower has been a popular destination for parade-goers for several years and hosts a number of Pride events.
The dispute centres on workers' efforts to secure formal union recognition at the hotel, which is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group UK (IHG). Union officials say workers have spent months seeking recognition from management after raising concerns about working conditions.
Previous walkouts and response
The latest walkout follows several strikes earlier this summer. The bar closed early during a number of events, including World Cup viewing parties.
Unite regional officer Alison Treacher said: "There is still time to avoid this highly disruptive strike action. Our members at Kimpton Clocktower are simply seeking to be represented by their union."
A spokesperson for IHG Hotels & Resorts said: "We are aware of concerns raised by a small number of colleagues at The Refuge at the Kimpton Clocktower Manchester, who have decided to take industrial action. We have taken those concerns seriously and continue to engage with colleagues through well established, direct feedback channels."
"IHG seeks to maintain high levels of engagement with all our colleagues and whilst we do not agree with the action being taken, we respect their individual rights to choose whether to join a trade union and to take part in lawful industrial action. We have plans in place to minimise any disruption, as we have done previously; the hotel and The Refuge continue to operate as normal."
