Workers from Pizza Hut outlets across Scotland are staging a protest today against what they describe as unlawful practices by Glenshire Brands, the franchisee operating over 23 locations in the region. The employees, represented by Unite the Union, have raised concerns about wage theft, denial of breaks, and deteriorating working conditions.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, expressed strong disapproval of how Glenshire Brands has handled its workforce since taking over the franchise in 2022, calling it a “systematic attack” on the pay and conditions of approximately 200 staff members. “The behavior of Glenshire Brands across Pizza Hut outlets in Scotland is deplorable and reprehensible,” Graham said. “The company has launched a full-on assault on workers’ pay and conditions, which will have a serious impact on our members’ take-home pay.”
A primary grievance is the removal of a long-standing commission for delivery drivers, which had been in place for over 15 years, offering £1.45 per delivery. This change, communicated via text message with little warning, has drawn sharp criticism for lacking proper consultation. One driver, Cian, who has worked with the company for over two years, shared that the promised pay increase to £12.21 an hour did not make up for the loss of the commission. “I’ve been living paycheque to paycheque, and now multiple drivers have quit because they simply can’t afford to do this job if they’re having to pay for their own fuel,” Cian explained.
Additionally, workers have voiced dissatisfaction with new leave policies. Under Glenshire’s recent changes, employees are required to submit vacation requests four weeks in advance, and unused leave cannot be carried over beyond March 31, 2025. Many workers feel this new policy effectively prevents them from taking any remaining leave. Unite also claims that workers have lost on-shift meal benefits and staff discounts, and that some employees have had pay retroactively docked for breaks they didn’t take.
In response to these allegations, Unite has filed collective grievances, addressing denied commissions and irregularities with leave, breaks, and health and safety concerns. Bryan Simpson, Unite’s lead organiser for hospitality, condemned Glenshire’s actions, describing them as a “morally reprehensible” attempt to undermine low-wage workers. “This is a cynical attempt to demolish pay and conditions for some of the lowest-paid workers in the economy,” Simpson remarked, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for workers’ rights in the industry.
Glenshire Brands has denied making any fundamental changes to employees’ terms since assuming control of the franchises. A company spokesperson explained that the shift from “per delivery” to “per mile” compensation for delivery drivers was meant to better address fuel and insurance costs. “We received the two collective grievances on March 23, which will be thoroughly investigated in line with our grievance process. Glenshire is committed to robust employment practices, including honoring all annual leave and break entitlements for our nearly 800 colleagues,” the representative said.
Pizza Hut UK’s corporate office has also weighed in, stating its commitment to ensuring fair and safe working conditions across its franchises. While acknowledging that Glenshire operates independently, a spokesperson emphasized the company’s dedication to investigating the allegations raised by the union.
The protest, organized by Unite, will take place at Pizza Hut in Leith at 1 PM today, March 25, 2025. Workers are hoping their collective voice will prompt necessary changes to what they consider to be violations of their rights. This situation highlights broader issues within the fast-food industry, raising concerns about workers’ struggles to secure fair wages and adequate working conditions amid corporate pressures.
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