Staff have staged a protest against a Pizza Hut franchisee amid accusations of “wage theft” and “attacks” on annual leave and rest break entitlements.
Glenshire Group, which runs 23 Pizza Hut outlets across Scotland, has been served with two grievances by Unite on behalf of cooks, cleaners and delivery drivers who are alleging poor working conditions.
The union is accusing the firm, also known as Glenshire Brands, of conducting a “systematic attack” on the pay and conditions of around 200 workers after it took over the branches in 2022.
Glenshire said it is “absolutely committed to robust employment practices” and is “very much listening” to colleagues to understand where there are concerns and how to swiftly resolve them.
A protest was held on Tuesday afternoon outside a Pizza Hut store in Leith, Edinburgh.
‘A full-on assault on workers’ pay and conditions’
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The behaviour of Glenshire Brands across Pizza Hut outlets in Scotland is deplorable and reprehensible.
Major investigation into ongoing gang feud which has seen properties firebombed and shots fired in Edinburgh streets
Tour de France returning to the UK in 2027
Mum says 12-year-old son’s mental health ‘severely impacted’ after pornography shared between pupils at Edinburgh school
“The company has launched a full-on assault on workers’ pay and conditions which will have a serious impact on our members’ take-home pay.
“The Pizza Hut workers can be assured of Unite’s complete determination to hold this rogue employer to account.”
One of the complaints revolves around the recent removal of a “drivers’ commission” worth £1.45 per delivery, which is paid in addition to an hourly wage.
Unite is claiming the payment amounted up to £80 a week and was part of the implied terms and conditions of the job advert when the drivers were recruited.
The union said it was removed with immediate effect on 10 March, with drivers given several options – including to continue working without the commission or to voluntary move to a self-employed contract earning £30 for an eight-hour shift plus £3 per delivery.
Unite said as the drivers use their own vehicles and do not receive mileage payments or financial assistance for their maintenance, in effect the workers “receive an hourly wage below the government’s national minimum wage”.
In a statement, Glenshire claimed the ”driver commissions have not been reduced, rather the remuneration model has changed from a ‘per delivery’ amount to a ‘per mile’ basis”.
However, the firm did not give further detail.
Read more from Sky News:
Shell’s new strategy is good news for your savings
Tesla sales slump across Europe as Musk backlash grows
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
In another complaint, Unite said the workers had been “hit by attacks” on annual leave and rest break entitlements.
The employees have also had an on-shift meal and staff discount removed, with the company additionally accused of retroactively docking workers’ pay for rest breaks they did not take.
‘These grievances will be thoroughly investigated’
Glenshire refuted changes had been made to its annual leave or rest break policies as it confirmed receiving two collective grievances from Unite.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “These grievances will be thoroughly investigated in line with our grievance process.
“Glenshire are absolutely committed to robust employment practices including honouring all annual leave and break entitlement for our almost 800 colleagues.
“Driver commissions have not been reduced, rather the remuneration model has changed from a ‘per delivery’ amount to a ‘per mile’ basis to better reflect fuel expenses and ensuring insurance costs are covered.
“Alongside this, we have increased gross pay rates by bringing forward the national living wage and minimum wage increases by up to £1.20 per hour.”
Next month, the national living wage for people aged 21 and over will rise 77p from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour.
The Glenshire spokesperson added: “There are categorically no blanket changes to self-employed contracts taking place. In addition, there have been no changes to break policies or annual leave entitlement.
“We are very much listening to our colleagues, to understand where there are any concerns and how we can swiftly resolve these and have organised internal meetings to hear their concerns.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Pizza Hut said it has strict policies in place that its franchise businesses “must adhere to”.
A spokesperson added: “Although Glenshire Group operates as an independent franchisee and is ultimately responsible for its own employment practices, we take these allegations seriously.
“Glenshire will be actively engaging in the coming days with any concerned employees, and we will continue to investigate this situation.”
