The Unite union has called on Culture Secretary, , to act to ensure mandatory
mask wearing for customers visiting hospitality venues across the
UK, in the same way that those travelling on public transport are
now legally obliged to do so.
Unite members in the hospitality industry are angry that they are
being left to enforce the wearing of face masks which causes
disputes with customers. These frequently result in threats of
physical abuse, which have included death threats, by customers
to staff.
In the passenger transport sector compulsory facemasks have been
imposed by DfT, in consultation with the unions. This has ensured
that transport workers free from the responsibility of having to
enforce the wearing of facemasks. But there has been no such
engagement from the Digital Culture Media and Sport
Department.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We must ask why
hospitality is the only area in the public arena where facemasks
are not compulsory. Does the government consider the health and
safety of hospitality workers less of a priority than that of
workers in other sectors?
"It is outrageous that hospitality workers are being left to
police the wearing of facemasks due to the lack of proper
mandatory rules or effective legislation. My union is pledged to
fight to defend the jobs pay and conditions of our members and
the health and safety of our hospitality members is high on that
list."
Unite is calling on the culture secretary to immediately open talks
with industry leaders and the unions with the aim of imposing
mandatory mask-wearing at hospitality venues across the whole of
the UK unless seated with family members and/or close friends and
while eating and drinking.
Unite industrial organiser for hospitality Bryan Simpson
said: “Unite has received many reports from its hospitality
members who have been verbally and physically abused and some
even receiving deaths threats for asking customers to wear
facemasks.
"We are therefore disappointed that yet again throughout this
pandemic that the health, safety and working conditions of
hospitality workers in pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels isn’t
even an afterthought for this government. Many thousands of these
employees are disproportionately on low pay and many are women,
young workers or migrant workers.
“Our view is that facemasks must be compulsory in all public
spaces - with no loopholes - and that it must not
be left to individuals working in hospitality or any other
sector, for that matter, to enforce."
Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of
its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish
workers' living standards.
