A Glasgow bar and cafe has been accused of a “blatant union-busting effort” as workers joined to protest on Tuesday.
Saramago Cafe Bar, located inside the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street, allegedly dismissed three workers in the middle of their shifts.
According to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), they were members of the union and were organising to increase the number of staff scheduled to “stop themselves being overworked”.
The union continued: “Fellow workers at Saramago and the IWW are concerned that these unjust, cruel, and downright cynical rafts of firings are just the beginning.
“Both staff and the union are bracing for more firings and mobilising to provide support to those who have already been summarily dismissed.”
Workers who are in the IWW have called upon the restaurant to reinstate the fired employees, and organised a demonstration on Tuesday.
They were joined outside Saramago by members of Unite the union’s Hospitality branch.
IWW added in a statement: “We will not let Saramago hide behind its historic association with a liberal, left-wing crowd or its location in an arts venue that only a week ago screened films about the importance of trade-unionism.
“We call on all union members and workers in hospitality to show solidarity with the fired workers by joining us on the support pickets.”
A spokesperson for the CCA said: “CCA is aware of a demonstration scheduled for later today outside of our venue, relating to a staff dispute within Saramago Cafe Bar.
“Saramago is a business tenant within CCA, owned and managed separately from our organisation.
“Fair working is an organisational priority for CCA, and we therefore express concern and are communicating directly with Saramago Cafe Bar, our programme partners and our own staff as developments unfold.”
The owners of Saramago Cafe Bar have been approached for comment.
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