Glasgow's 13th Note bar staff win employment tribunal after venue's sudden closure

Bar staff have won their employment tribunal claim against their former employer after owners of the 13th Note in Glasgow failed to consult them before making them redundant last year.

A tribunal has ruled that the workers be paid renumeration for 90 days – the maximum protective award available.

The boss of the Glasgow pub called in the liquidators in July 2023, claiming she had been “driven to insolvency by Unite Hospitality”.

It came after union members staged a 48-hour walkout at the venue – the first Scottish bar strike in more than 20 years.

The 13th Note closed following a 48-hour walkout by staff. STV News

They had promised to continue the industrial action every weekend until August 6.

But owner Jacqueline Fennessy said the conduct of the trade union had resulted in a “drastic reduction in revenue”.

Speaking after the ruling on Tuesday, Nick Troy, lead Unite rep at 13th Note, said: “When it came to sacking us, the company didn’t even have the decency to inform us first – issuing a press release to the media before telling the workers that they had lost their jobs.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The ruling is a complete vindication for the workers who unionised in the face of shocking conditions which saw the venue shut by environmental health.”

With the support of the union, the workers are said to be focussing on taking over the 13th Note lease from Glasgow City Council to reopen it.