Dorchester hotel in dispute with union

The Dorchester hotel in London has become locked in a dispute with the T&G union after refusing to grant it official recognition.

An independent body is to be called in to ballot hotel staff in a bid to solve the dispute.

The T&G said it had the legal right to negotiate terms and conditions on behalf of hotel staff but claimed the hotel's management was unwilling to co-operate.

According to the union, some of the terms and conditions for staff at the Dorchester are inferior to those at other Park Lane hotels. It wants better sick and holiday pay and improved terms for casual banqueting staff.

The T&G has a petition signed by 265 Dorchester staff members who have said that they would vote in favour of union recognition but the Dorchester, which has 520 full-time staff, is disputing the validity of the union's claim.

Under the Employment Relations Act 1999 it is a statutory requirement to give recognition to unions where the majority of the relevant workforce is in favour. It is understood, however, that the dispute between the union and the Dorchester is over what the "relevant" workforce may be.

David Wilkinson, general manager of the Dorchester, said that talks with the union were "ongoing".

"The discussion has focused on the nature of the bargaining unit. It can be that the hotel may have one view of what a bargaining unit may be and the union another," he said.

The T&G has approached the Central Arbitration Committee, a Government body, to carry out its own ballot.

Dave Turnbull, regional organiser for the T&G, said that in the last two years, the union had represented a number of Dorchester workers on grievance and discipline issues.

"I think we have shown that the union can have a constructive input," he said.

by Christina Golding
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 3-9 October 2002