The director of Dundee pub chain MacMerry 300 has accused a trade union of “threatening its survival” in a fierce row over serious allegations made against the company.
More than 50 current or former employees signed a letter addressed to directors of the firm, which runs venues such as Bird & Bear and Frank’s.
They include a range of claims, from covering up a Covid-19 outbreak to bullying and pay problems – all of which company bosses have denied.
Now, the director of MacMerry 300 has hit out at Unite, accusing hospitality representatives at the union of a “hugely damaging and deliberately public attack”.
Director Phil Donaldson said none of the 60 alleged wrongdoings were raised with directors before the employees’ letter was issued publicly.
Unite has called Mr Donaldson’s statement “beyond parody”, saying they do nothing to address the complaints made by staff.
What has happened so far?
The statement comes almost a week after The Courier revealed former and current workers of MacMerry 300 and Abandon Ship Ltd filed a mass complaint against directors at the firms.
Employees’ claims include covering up a Covid-19 outbreak, bullying, issues with sick and holiday pay, as well as allegedly ignoring sexual misconduct.
A “solidarity fund” for MacMerry’s staff has since been set up to support those with financial issues and raised more than £2,400 in 48 hours.
Other employees have also pledged their support to their bosses.
What has MacMerry said?
Mr Donaldson has denied all allegations so far.
In a statement made on Thursday night he said he is due to meet Unite next week and hopes “constructive talks can now take place”, aimed at “restoring good employee relations and addressing any legitimate concerns”.
The pub boss describes the allegations as “worrying and sensationalist” and a “hugely damaging and deliberately public attack by Unite Hospitality”.
However, he said he does not blame staff, saying they have been “badly served” by the union.
Mr Donaldson said: “MacMerry 300 has over the last week been subjected to a hugely damaging and deliberately public attack by Unite Hospitality.
“We have described the union’s behaviour as “bewildering” throughout but the harsh reality is that, after nearly two years of pandemic-related trauma for the whole industry, Unite Hospitality’s behaviour is now threatening the survival of our company.”
He added the allegations did not have any details to allow for an investigation and were not brought to the company beforehand, he says the first time they were made aware of the allegations was when contacted by media.
“It is our firm conviction that the responsible course of action would have been to make every attempt to amass evidence before making unsubstantiated and untested claims public,” Mr Donaldson said.
“Also, to raise these first with us as the employer so we had an opportunity to investigate them.”
He claims that MacMerry has been “consistently denied any opportunity to explore the issues”.
‘Damage and division’
“We genuinely support every colleague’s right to choose whether to be a member of a union or not,” Mr Donaldson said.
“However, Unite’s actions this week have caused nothing but damage and division and, unsurprisingly, have had a huge effect on customer and supplier confidence, at a time when trading is already difficult.
“We do not argue that any employer is perfect or deny that mistakes may have been made but, by denying us any opportunity to address claims, while creating a lot of noise to imply that any facts have already been explored, benefits no-one and is now threatening the very survival of our business.”
How has Unite responded?
Bryan Simpson from Unite Hospitality said bosses at the chain – which operates venues in Dundee and Glasgow including Abandon Ship, Nola, Draffens, the King of Islington and the Blue Room – should focus on resolving staff grievances rather than what he called “petty attacks”.
“This statement is beyond parody,” he said.
“MacMerry clearly has no concept of what a union is, if they think that it is one official behind this entire campaign for fair working practices across the group.
“Their workforce has demanded action on what are immoral and unlawful practices.
“They should focus on the failure to pay wages, holidays, pensions and sick pay, not petty attacks on Unite or its officials.
“We firmly believe that the way in which senior representatives at MacMerry have behaved towards Unite and our members since the grievance was submitted six days ago amounts to detrimental treatment in breach of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act.
“We would urge Mr Donaldson and MacMerry directors to stop trying to undermine the collective will of their workforce and get round the table to resolve the very serious issues that pervade their organisation.”
Staff speak out
Cheri O’Donnell, a bartender in Draffens who was among those who spearheaded the call to action, accused MacMerry of “shirking all responsibility”, with the latest statement.
The 24-year-old said Unite issued the list of grievances on staff’s behalf and helped them with things such as wording, with Mr Simpson acting as their spokesperson.
Cheri also says Mr Donaldson was made aware of the allegations before they were sent to media.
She said: “The statement is a way for them to try and improve their PR.
“Unite does so much more work than just hospitality and has previously offered to buy us things such as face masks.
“They are trying to look like Bryan is dragging his feet when this is not the case.
“To make this response so violently is just sad.”
A public protest is due to be held in Dundee’s Union Street on Friday.
It follows a similar event in Glasgow last weekend, but MacMerry bosses say the “vast majority of those who took part were neither current or past employees”.
