Almost Famous staff turn to union over unpaid wages claim after burger restaurants close down
- Staff have turned to Unite the Union to secure wages following the Almost Famous burger chain’s collapse.
- Unite Hospitality launches campaign on behalf of redundant workers ahead of planned protest.
- Featured image credit: Alice Haston.
Staff from Almost Famous in Manchester’s Northern Quarter are taking union action following the burger chain’s sudden closure, claiming they are owed money in back pay.
Almost Famous announced the sudden closure of all three its restaurants at the end of January, saying in a statement the move was due to financial pressures which “made it impossible to sustain the business”.
Staff took to social media to vent their dismay about the closure, with some saying they had found out about job losses through social media.
Unite Hospitality and Unite the Union are supporting former staff recoup what they allege are lost wages.
Unite Hospitality believes the company – which had restaurants in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds – owes £207,000 in back pay and tips to more than 100 workers.
‘Pay up or go to tribunal’
Keith Hutson, 56, is a part of the team at Unite the Union working with members making a claim against Almost Famous for unpaid wages.
Speaking to NQ, Mr Hutson said “they are putting in claims for a protective reward” for Almost Famous staff who are members of Unite the Union. The protective reward would entitle workers to 12 weeks of pay if their claim is granted, and if the employer is found to have failed the formal consultation process after making more than 20 employees redundant.
According to Mr Hutson, the protective award would “make sure that they are paid properly”.
“We have been in talks at a national level to see if there are any arrangements that can be done, with ongoing talks at the moment to see what can be arranged,” he said.
“We are hopeful the talks will produce more than just basic minimums.”
How long this process will take will depend on if the employer “pays up or if it goes to a tribunal”, according to Mr Hutson. It is uncertain how long it may take for the employees to receive what they are allegedly owed.
Union campaign
Alongside their work with Unite the Union, workers from Almost Famous have launched a public campaign with Unite Hospitality
In a statement to Manchester Evening News, Almost Famous bosses said payments including redundancy and pensions would be handled through the redundancy protection service.
Last month Almost Famous founder owner Beau Myers issued a lengthy statement thanking staff for their efforts and lamenting the closure of restaurants.
He said: “The current economic climate has proven too challenging for us to overcome, with lingering debt from covid and rising costs across every aspect of the business. Despite our best efforts, we are no longer able to continue.
“For over 13 years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented and passionate people in hospitality. We will do everything we can to support you during this transition.”
NQ has approached Almost Famous for comment.