Victory for bar staff

Former Saint James Tavern pub landlords have agreed to pay more than £80,000 in compensation to bar staff who were sacked after voting to strike.

The UVW union said the pub bosses reached a settlement with its members over claims for unfair dismissal, trade union victimisation and harassment.

The workers were “abruptly dismissed” after unanimously voting in favour of strike action for decent wages and working conditions.

The union said the strike was “seminal” as it was one of the first ever strikes by hospitality workers in the UK, an exploitative and “distressingly under-unionised” sector.

The compensation award comes on top of months of wages for five workers after judges awarded them interim relief in October 2022. This payment supports workers claiming unfair dismissal until the final employment tribunal hearing takes place.