HOSPITALITY union Unite has issued a statement offering support to hospitality staff who are forced to work during Storm Éowyn.
The statement came yesterday after red weather warnings were issued across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Unite has said they would support any worker expected to show up during the storm, warning business owners who may ask staff to come in.
Their statement reads: “Due to the red weather warning issued by the Met Office and both the Scottish and British Governments today regarding storm Éowyn today, Unite Hospitality Glasgow are offering support to any hospitality workers expected to work despite the warning
“We will not tolerate our members facing needless danger due to business owners putting profit before the safety of their staff.
“The storm poses a ‘serious threat to life’ with Scotrail and First Bus cancelling transport and Police Scotland strongly advising against driving in such potentially treacherous conditions.
“The NHS are also only providing emergency care tomorrow.
“We urge members and colleagues to avoid endangering themselves by travelling to work by foot or car.
“It is also unacceptable for employers to expect their low paid staff to pay for taxis to and from work.”
Their statement goes on to say that employers must provide reasonable notice of shift changes by law.
The union says any shift change or cancellation must be given with more than 24 hours of notice, warning employers who plan to “wait it out”.
They detail a case they won for a worker in Aberdeen who had his shift cancelled without proper notice, with a judge ordering he be paid top rate for the full shift.
Unite issued the statement and advice across all of their social media channels and their website, urging workers once again to stay home.
They have offered support to hospitality workers who face dangerous conditions or the loss of earnings because of the storm.
