On Friday, the 5th of September, Brighton-SolFed held an open discussion on Brighton Hospitality Workers Campaign in the Cowley Club. Ten years after the local set up this initiative, some participants gave an account of the experience.
Brighton-SolFed started this campaign in 2014. The aim was to develop strategies of workers’ self-defence in hospitality, an industry known for the bad working conditions and the lack of union culture.
The campaign reached a high profile among workers and bosses in Brighton, especially within certain migrant communities. New methods of collective action against insecurity, wages theft and other issues were built up with a high record of success.
After a brief presentation, a debate on the campaign was held. The discussion covered issues such as the situation of the hospitality industry in Brighton, how workers can organise to fight back or Direct Action as a tool for workplace action. There was a conversation about how Brighton Hospitality Workers developed and influenced other campaigns such as Brighton-SolFed Housing Campaign.
The aim of the activity was to show that it is possible to beat the bosses even in such disadvantaged conditions as those of the hospitality industry. Brighton-SolFed wants to thank the Cowley Club for hosting the event and everyone who attended.