BHA rejects call for London Living Wage in capital's hotels

Now is not the time to demand that hotels introduce a London Living Wage, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) has warned.

But a BHA spokesman said that, given the recession, hefty wage increases were not a realistic possibility for London hotels.

"At a time of recession, when the hospitality industry in London is experiencing severe cost pressures and falling demand, the priority has to be to preserve jobs as far as is possible," he told Caterersearch.

"Substantial wage increases are just not realistic at this time."

In the document Rooms for change: Putting London hotels on track for the Olympics, London Citizens also calls for unions to be given unimpeded access to meet with all hotel employees; as well as training and advancement opportunities made available to staff at all levels.

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By Gemma Sharkey