Union slams hospitality firm over ‘plans to cut 200 jobs in Scotland’

The Brewers Fayre is reportedly set to cut around 1500 jobs across the whole of the UK, with plans to shut more than 100 restaurants, despite reporting a significant rise in returns to shareholders.

Unite claims that workers have not been told which sites will close, despite claims redundancies could take place as soon as July 4.

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There are fears that some live-in workers also face the risk of losing homes tied to their workplaces.

Whitbread has so far denied the allegations made by Unite, which said it is considering launching employment tribunal claims for unfair dismissal for affected workers from restaurants including Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Beefeater outlets.

Lead organiser for Unite’s hospitality sector Bryan Simpson said: “The way in which our members have been treated by Whitbread during this entire redundancy process is morally reprehensible.

“Our members found out about their jobs via the media on April 30, however we have evidence which suggests that the company have been planning these redundancies since at least December 1 2023, with some venues having contractors assess value of sold sites for more than a year.

“Despite refusing to answer questions from their workers and their union, the company now wishes to bulldoze through a consultation process which has been neither genuine nor meaningful with the first terminations happening on July 4.

“Some of our members look set to lose their homes as well as their jobs, as live-in workers will be served eviction notices soon after they are terminated.

“As well as all of this, the company looks set to pay out the bare minimum redundancy packages to the vast majority of these 1500 workers across the UK with only senior managers and head office workers receiving enhanced packages, which could open the company up to multiple indirect discrimination claims.

“As the union for Whitbread workers, we will be doing everything we can to challenge these unnecessary job losses – and win maximum compensation for our members who are unfairly dismissed.”

A spokesperson for Whitbread said: “We do not accept these allegations. We have a comprehensive and transparent collective consultation process, and are engaging directly with elected representatives and the individuals potentially affected.

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“The consultation process is still ongoing and as part of this we are seeking to find alternative opportunities wherever possible through the roles created by this programme and our existing recruitment process that makes circa 15,000 hires each year.

“We expect to retain a significant proportion of those who wish to remain with us and are providing dedicated support to our teams.”