19th November marks four months since the owners of the 13th Note music venue in Glasgow announced that it would be closing, with all the workers losing their job.
This was an outrageous decision, in the context of a dispute where the staff members were simply asking for fair treatment in respect of contracts, safe working conditions, and a living wage. As one of the team said at the time, the cafe's owners were "so used to operating outwith the law that they are now at a point where they don't even understand it".
In spite of the owner’s “scorched earth” approach, the workers – organised by Unite the Union - are pursuing their cause, and the 13th Note dispute has become a focus for all those calling for improved conditions in the hospitality industry.
Workers’ rallies have been joined by Glasgow councillors from different parties, and by a number of politicians including former Labour leader and MSP Richard Leonard, who has said “I think it’s the job of Labour politicians not just to make speeches in Parliament, but to be out on the streets supporting workers when they’re taking industrial action … I think the conditions that these workers are toiling in represent some of the worst examples I’ve ever seen of working conditions that people have to put up with. And clearly they are saying today we are not going to put up with it anymore.”
The wider context for the dispute was highlighted recently by singer-songwriter Calum Baird in a major article about the cultural industries (click here). Now Calum has helped organise a benefit gig for the 13th Note workers at Edinburgh’s Stand Comedy Club on Sunday 19th November.
Doors are open from 7 pm, and the music, comedy and poetry begins at 8 pm, with songs from Calum and Elsie MacDonald, poetry from Rosa Moxham, and laughter in these challenging times to be provoked by Vladimir McTavish and Robin Grainger.
Published 13th November 2023.