Hospitality leaders urge end to Tube strikes before Christmas
With new tube strikes starting this week, UKHospitality has organized a letter to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, as well as Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT union, and Mick Whelan, the general secretary of the ASLEF union. The letter calls for measures to prevent additional Tube strikes over the Christmas season.
Even though the RMT has reached an agreement regarding a pay issue and is no longer pursuing their strike, there are still ongoing strikes occurring in the city.
Major Pubcos Support The Letter
The letter is supported by the leaders of several major pub chains in the UK, including Fuller’s, Greene King, Punch Pubs, Stonegate Group, and Young’s.
The message stated: “We urge you, as heads of your organizations, to wrap up these discussions quickly, or you could jeopardize the London economy for the long term.”
A strike can significantly affect hospitality businesses, causing them to lose as much as 70% of their earnings for that day, no matter when it happens. However, during this critical time of year, the consequences are even more severe. If a strike is called off at the last minute, it’s likely that the damage to business will have already been done.
Visitors Might Hesitate To Take Risks
Reservations for large groups have either been canceled or were never made in the first place. The attention in international news has led some prospective tourists to reconsider their plans and choose not to visit our city.
Many hospitality businesses generate as much as 40% of their yearly revenue in the two months leading up to Christmas. A decline in earnings during this period can jeopardize the survival of these establishments, putting employees’ jobs in danger. Workers who depend on additional seasonal hours may face financial difficulties as a result.
"We simply request that you finalize the negotiations quickly, as delays could severely affect our businesses and our community, putting the jobs of many residents at risk."
