“It was really good because after that they gave her an apology letter,” recalls Beata.
Soon other staff members joined Siptu, and now they have Sunday and night work premiums. Payslips are also provided.
“More people saw that there is a chance to change something, that we are not alone and that somebody can really help,” says Beata.
But it isn’t all ‘happy ever after’. Beata still works at the hotel and says that numerous problems remain. However, a distinct improvement in workers’ pay and conditions has been noted.
Sintija Sheerin, originally from Latvia and now an organiser with Siptu, says that some immigrants don’t have a keen sense of rights’ entitlements. This is something that Siptu is working to address, she says, and two Polish, one Lithuanian and an Estonian organiser are part of its team.
According to hotels’ branch organiser Paul Henry, a “significant number” of Irish and non-Irish hotel workers remain non-unionised, and “are not aware of their rights and the conditions they are entitled to”. Currently Siptu’s hotel branch represents around 2,500 hotel workers and a further 2,000 catering employees in the industrial catering sector.
The recession and resultant culling of jobs and extra demands on existing employees has led to an increase in membership enquiries to the union, confirms Henry.
Hotel workers wishing to contact Siptu can write to Freepost F3954, Siptu Hotel Organising, 12th floor, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 or e-mail organising@siptu.ie or visit www.siptu.ie/hotels/ Alternatively, text ‘Hotel’ with your name to 087 918 8790 and a Siptu rep will call you back.
