The CEO of the pub chain Fuller’s has stated that Christmas festivities may be canceled if a “rapid resolution” is not found.
Simon Emeny also cautioned that personnel who rely on hours and gratuities over the holiday season may suffer if there is a surge of canceled reservations.
He encouraged the RMT to call off the impending strikes so that the industry could “enjoy the Christmas it deserves.”
It recently announced additional strikes leading up to Christmas.
Four 48-hour periods of industrial action will be held on the 13-14 and 16-17 of December, as well as the 3-4 and 6-7 of January, as part of an ongoing dispute over wages, working conditions, and job security for train workers.
Mr. Emeny stated that the action could negatively impact business during the “important” holiday season and cause customers to cancel their arrangements.
“It has been a difficult two or three years for hospitality, so we are all looking at this Christmas as an opportunity to trade well ahead of what will likely be a difficult winter, and these train strikes will have an impact on the hospitality sector – and more importantly, on hospitality workers,” he said.
“If these train strikes continue, their hours will likely be shortened and their tips would be drastically decreased. We are optimistic about the holiday season, but the train strikes are a major issue for the sector “he added.
In addition, he stated that reservations for Christmas parties and lunches across the pub and hotel business have been “outstanding” thus far.
The company, which employs over 5,000 individuals, has informed clients that it expects the strikes may be canceled or postponed.
Mr. Emeny stated, “We can only delay cancellation requests for so long, and what we truly need is a prompt resolution – not a settlement at the eleventh hour since people will have altered their plans by then.”
However, the RMT union stated last week that the strike action will send a “clear message” that workers seek a better contract.
It is anticipated that around 40,000 RMT members from Network Rail and fourteen other railway operators will participate.
In anticipation of the strikes, pub manager Charlie Baker stated that parties and celebrations at its two London locations in Hammersmith and Shoreditch have already been canceled.
He estimates that approximately £200,000 worth of business has been lost since the announcement.
“We’ve seen parties of up to 150 people canceled, and customers are often quite sad. They are powerless to prevent it from destroying the holiday for them. If it is logistically impossible for your employees to get there, it is not worthwhile for large organizations to pay for these events.”
As the proprietor of a smaller company, he described the loss of business as “terrifying.”
With pubs, restaurants, and cafés facing a “cliff edge” due to rising energy costs in the spring, Charlie says the strike action has made it more difficult to establish a financial reserve.
I completely comprehend the rising expense of living and sympathize with the rail workers, but it’s quite difficult for us as well,” he remarked.
The hotel trade association has warned that the strike action will result in approximately £1.5 billion in lost revenue.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, penned a letter to the transport secretary urging the government to assist rail bosses in reaching an agreement, noting that the holiday season is a lucrative time for workers who earn generous tips and can work overtime due to increased customer demand.
“The impact of rail strikes thus far this year has been catastrophic and far-reaching, but this will pale in contrast to the effects of the December strikes,” she warned.
“It is now time for the government to proactively bring all stakeholders to the table to find a solution that protects the nation’s workers and hospitality customers this holiday season,” the petition reads.
Monday, Transport Secretary Mark Harper congratulated RMT union leader Mick Lynch on recent discussions in a letter.
He added, “I want to engage with you and employers in good faith to assist resolve these long-standing concerns and enable companies and you to find a fair conclusion.
“I hope this will lead to development that will allow you to call off the strike,” he added, expressing a desire to make railroad jobs rewarding for employees.
