Better Than Zero and Labour unite against precarious work & low pay

Bryan Simpson of Better Than Zero met with Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse Labour Party to discuss the movement against precarious work, and the fight for better pay and conditions.

Better Than Zero

Better Than Zero is campaigning for better workers rights

Better Than Zero formed in 2015 as a response to the exploitation of workers in the hospitality industry, a sector which has traditionally been poorly unionised. 

Bryan spoke about how the movement has since grown exponentially, and described the many successes they have achieved through education, training, worker representation, direct action and campaigning. 

Bryan Simpson of Better Than Zero speaks to Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse CLP

Bryan Simpson of Better Than Zero speaks to Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse CLP

Working with trade unions, particularly Unite, Better Than Zero can claim a number of successes: 

  • G1, the Glasgow based hospitality giant, was forced to get rid of zero-hour contracts
  • restaurant workers, including those at Las Iguanas, got to keep 100% of their tips
  • the organisers of the Edinburgh Hogmanay Party and Fringe were forced to pay “volunteers”

However, Better Than Zero’s biggest success, achieved by working with trade union Unite, may be forcing the multi-billionaire Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct to pay £1.1 million in backdated wages to staff as well as compelling the company to abandon zero-hour contracts for 17,000 workers and their “six strikes” rule, which saw staff sacked for minor infractions.

Better Than Zero are campaigning for employers to make sure staff get home safely from work

Better Than Zero are campaigning for employers to make sure staff get home safely from work

Better Than Zero are also running a Safe Home campaign to encourage employers to pay travel allowances for late night shifts and are lobbying for a change in Scottish licensing laws so that licensed premises have an obligation to ensure the safety of their workers, including their journey home after late shifts.

Better Than Zero are supporting workers across Lanarkshire, from baristas to cinema workers, including helping them to form trade union branches within their workplace.

With at least 9,000 employees in Lanark & Hamilton East and 6,000 employees in Rutherglen & Hamilton West – roughly 20 per cent of employees in each – paid below the Living Wage Foundation rate, there is much more work to be done in our area in the fight for better pay and conditions at work. 

Bryan Simpson with Ged Killen MP, Andrew Hilland- candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East - and Monica Lennon MSP

Bryan Simpson with Ged Killen MP, Andrew Hilland- candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East – and Monica Lennon MSP

This includes urging Lanarkshire employers to become accredited Living Wage employers and to sign up to the Fair Hospitality Charter, an initiative by the Unite trade union that was inspired by the success of Better Than Zero, as well as encouraging more workers to join a union to ensure that they have a voice and proper representation at work.

Better Than Zero are supporting workers across Lanarkshire, from baristas to cinema workers, including helping them to form trade union branches within their workplace.

If you want to be part of the Better Than Zero movement, or need their help, please get in touch with them here.

Posted by HLSLabour

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