Glasgow hotel staff could strike over pay and conditions
The union had sought talks on securing the real living wage of £12.60 per hour for its members, as well as paid breaks.
In addition, Unite sought a pay uplift and backpay for a small number of under-21 staff who receive less per hour than Village Hotels employees in Edinburgh.
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In response it's understood Village Hotels said it had 'no plans' to pay the real living wage or introduce paid breaks, which it said was in line with practices across the hospitality sector.
In addition, the company said it had already carried out an internal grievance investigation into the pay disparity with Edinburgh which concluded that the higher rate of pay in the capital was due to the higher cost of living.
It's understood the company told reps it saw "no benefit" in meeting for talks.
In an email sent to staff, seen by The Herald, Village confirmed it would not be raising rates of pay and pointed to existing employee benefits such as gym and spa memberships, discounted hotel rooms and high street shopping discounts.
Senior operations director for Scotland and the North Jamie Stevens said: "We continue to review the benefits that we provide to you, but at this stage, making wholesale changes to pay rates across the business, and paying for time taken on breaks, isn't financially achievable for the company without it adversely impacting on our ability to provide these other benefits."
Village Hotels last month announced the expansion of its senior leadership team as part of an £82m refurbishment and investment programme.
In its letter to staff Village Hotels said: "Whilst we respect the right of our employees to support industrial action, we hope you recognise the effort we put into our employee proposition, and that we all continue to operate without disruption for our guests and members.
"We hope you share our goals in protecting the value our business offers to you as members of our team, and to all of those individuals who experience the hospitality and quality of service which you provide at Glasgow."
Bryan Simpson, Unite the Union's Lead for Hospitality said: "For one of Britain's best known hotel chains to point blank refuse to negotiate with their workers over the real living wage, equal pay and paid breaks is bad enough. But to use as an excuse the fact that the hospitality sector is the lowest paid and most exploitative in the British economy is a scandal that all Village customers should be aware of.
"All our members at Village in Glasgow are asking for is a say in their own pay and conditions which are far too low. The attitude of senior management at Village has forced those members to now consider the first strike action at a major hotel chain since 1979."
Village Hotels has been approached for comment.
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