WORKERS at a bar have voted unanimously to strike over pay and working conditions.

Staff at the St James Tavern in Kemp Town, Brighton, are demanding an end to zero-hours contracts, a minimum pay increase to £11.50 and a full sick pay scheme.

They say they have “had enough of low wages” and are calling for a sick pay scheme which includes cover for Covid-19-related absences, rather than the basic Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

They also want a security response team on site at all times and voluntary recognition of United Voices of the World (UVW) as their trade union.   

Bar manager Jake Marvin said he and his co-workers at the pub in Madeira Place are striking for “the basic right to respect in the workplace, for an end to exploitative zero-hour contracts, and against the refusal to provide our basic statutory rights”.

“We as workers at St James Tavern have felt consistently undermined, the physical and emotional welfare of the staff as a whole feels entirely neglected,” he said.

“Together we can overcome any adversity.”

Bartender Tris Houseman said: “Feeling undervalued and disrespected by people you are generating money for, money that is barely seen by us, feels so humiliating and degrading on such a personal level.

“For me and my friends and fellow workers at St James Tavern, for the bare minimum conditions and respect at work, that is why I am striking.” 

The bar has been approached for comment.

St James Tavern is leased from Stonegate Group, the largest pub company in the UK, to the current owners.

Petros Elia, UVW general secretary, said: “Pub worker strikes are very rare to see and are much needed to overcome the low wages and poor treatment that ravage the sector.

“That’s why this strike is of paramount importance not just for these amazing workers but for all hospitality workers. And we’re calling on the movement to back them because a win for them is a win for all.” 

Kate Flood, UVW trade union organiser, said: “Despite working hard to ensure everyone at the St James Tavern was safe throughout the pandemic and the post-lockdown, these workers have been thanked with low wages, a refusal to provide security services to protect staff and shamefully inadequate sick pay, contracts, and terms and conditions.”