A BAR owner says he is not breaking any laws after workers voted unanimously to strike over pay and working conditions.

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

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”.

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

However, Victoria Ann Bennett and Zak Abedi, leaseholders of Saint James Tavern, say all bar staff are paid at least £9.50 per hour, with the assistant manager and manager on annual salaries.

“We’re not breaking any laws here,” they said.

“All staff receive their holiday pay and sick pay. We have even paid some staff in advance when they are going on holiday or need money earlier as they are waiting for their student loans.”

Those on strike 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.  

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.”

But Victoria and Zac said: “It is usual within the pub industry sector to have more staff in the summer periods and less staff in the winter months, hence why zero-hour contracts are utilised.

“Staff are well aware of this when being interviewed by our manager.

“The staff are requesting a permanent security door person at our public house, which is not viable for us being such a small pub in Kemp Town. We are not in the high street.”

The pub currently has security provided by Pagoda, which Victoria and Zak say can be on site “within minutes or less”.

“We are not known to be a trouble public house,” they added.

“We feel that some of our staff going to a Union and submitting complaints was instigated by someone who we barred at our establishment who has been egging on the staff and poisoning them against us.”

Since taking over the business just before Covid, Victoria and Zak said they have received a huge welcome from other local establishments.

“Local businesses, public houses, restaurants, coffee shops and residents are thanking us saying it’s the best this pub has looked for years.”