Union hits out at Brewers Fayre owner over 'plans to cut 200 jobs in Scotland'

Trade union Unite has blasted hospitality giant Whitbread over reports of plans to axe 200 jobs in Scotland, as part of a nationwide cost-cutting drive.

The Brewers Fayre owner is reportedly set to cut around 1,500 jobs across the UK, with plans to shut more than 100 restaurants, despite reporting a significant rise in returns to shareholders.

The company operates a single site in the north-east; the Mains of Balquharn Brewers Fayre restaurant in Portlethen.

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Unite claims that many workers have not been told which sites will close, despite claims that redundancies could take place as soon as July 4. There are fears that some live-in workers also face the risk of losing homes tied to their workplaces.

The union claims Whitbread has failed to properly consult workers. Unite also said some workers only found out about the cuts 'from the media', on 30 April, when the hospitality giant made a public announcement.

Unite also alleges that the statutory 45-day consultation with workers, which kicked off in late April, has not been conducted in a "genuine or meaningful way".

Whitbread, which also owns Premier Inn, said it would try to find alternative jobs for those affected. They also categorically deny claims that they hadn't properly consulted with workers on the cuts.

However, now union bosses have written to Whitbread saying they are considering launching employment tribunal claims for unfair dismissal for affected workers from restaurants including Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Beefeater outlets.

Bryan Simpson, Lead Organiser for Unite the union's hospitality sector said: "The way in which our members have been treated by Whitbread during this entire redundancy process is morally reprehensible."

"Our members found out about their jobs via the media on 30th April, however we have evidence which suggests that the company have been planning these redundancies since at least 1st December 2023, with some venues having contractors assess value of sold sites for over a year."

"Despite refusing to answer questions from their workers and their union, the company now wishes to bulldoze through a consultation process which has been neither genuine nor meaningful with the first terminations happening on 4th July."

"Some of our members look set to lose their homes as well as their jobs, as live-in workers will be served eviction notices soon after they are terminated."

"As well as all of this, the company looks set to pay-out the bare minimum redundancy packages to the vast majority of these 1500 workers across the UK with only senior managers and head office workers receiving enhanced packages, which could open the company up to multiple indirect discrimination claims."

"As the union for Whitbread workers, we will be doing everything we can to challenge these unnecessary job losses - and win maximum compensation for our members who are unfairly dismissed."

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Whitbread of "generating runaway profits while trampling workers".

A spokesperson for Whitbread said: "We do not accept these allegations. We have a comprehensive and transparent collective consultation process, and are engaging directly with elected representatives and the individuals potentially affected."

"The consultation process is still ongoing and as part of this we are seeking to find alternative opportunities wherever possible through the roles created by this programme and our existing recruitment process that makes circa 15,000 hires each year. We expect to retain a significant proportion of those who wish to remain with us and are providing dedicated support to our teams."