Workplace harms in the hospitality industry are linked to (a lack of) unionisation.

What is it about?

This article looks at working conditions in the hospitality industry through the perspective of 'work-based harms' (i.e. the various ways in which work can be harmful), but also argues that the level of political organisation (for example, through trade unions) is a key determinant of exposure to harm. The article makes these arguments through an exploration of three kinds of harm (contractual insecurity, wage thefts and health and safety during the Covid pandemic) and attempts at union organisation through the Sheffield Needs A Pay Rise campaign.

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Why is it important?

This work points to the importance of union organisation in workers' efforts to challenge harms in the workplace. It also identifies the key barriers to union organisation and the ways in which these may be covercome.