A Pizza Hut franchise owner has been accused of “wage theft” over the removal of drivers’ commission, staff rest breaks, and meal discounts.
Unite the union has raised a grievance for cooks, cleaners, and delivery drivers working for Glenshire Brands, which owns Pizza Hut franchises in Glasgow and across the west of Scotland.
The union has accused the firm of conducting a ‘systematic attack’ on the pay and conditions of around 200 workers after it took over the stores in 2022.
The dispute covers 23 takeaway outlets in Scotland including Glasgow city centre, Great Western Road, Clarkston, Paisley, Hillington, Greenock, Bearsden, Pollokshields, Hamilton, Scotstoun, Wishaw, and Airdrie.
Unite said Glenshire announced this month drivers’ commission’ was being removed with immediate effect.
The payment amounted to £1.45 per delivery and it was paid for more than 15 years amounting up to £80 a week for drivers.
The union also said annual leave and rest break entitlement has been reduced for the workforce.
It said on-shift meal allowances have been removed and the company also retroactively docked workers’ pay for rest breaks that they did not take.
Annual leave entitlement has been changed with four weeks notice required and no carry over after March 31.
Unite said this meant some staff were disbarred from taking any accrued remaining leave, and many were also not paid for leave they had submitted.
Workers have submitted a collective claim on the loss of drivers’ commission with workers across the Pizza Hut stores raising a grievance on the leave, breaks and health and safety issues.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The behaviour of Glenshire Brands across Pizza Hut outlets in Scotland is deplorable and reprehensible.
“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.
“The Pizza Hut workers can be assured of Unite’s complete determination to hold this rogue employer to account.”
She said the drivers’ commission is part of implied terms and conditions and was part of the job advert, when the drivers were recruited.
The union added Pizza Hut drivers using their own car do not receive mileage payments and are solely responsible for the maintenance of their own vehicles.
After these necessary payments to work are made by the drivers it means that they receive an hourly wage below the government’s national minimum wage.
Bryan Simpson, Unite's lead organiser for hospitality, said: “The way our members have been treated by the Glenshire Group is morally reprehensible and almost certainly illegal. This is a cynical attempt to demolish pay and conditions for some of the lowest paid workers in the economy - to cut labour costs and lurch towards bogus self-employment.
“Unite will not allow such a dangerous precedent to be set, and we will be doing everything in our power to support our members to fight back against these measures industrially, legally and politically."
Glenshire Group added: “We can confirm that we received the two collective grievances on Sunday, March 23, with the first relating to our delivery drivers’ compensations and the second relating to concerns including annual leave and rest break policies. These grievances will be thoroughly investigated in line with our grievance process.
“Glenshire Group is absolutely committed to robust employment practices including honouring all annual leave and break entitlement for our almost 800 colleagues.
“Driver Commissions have not been reduced, rather the remuneration model has changed from a ‘per delivery’ amount to a ‘per mile’ basis to better cover fuel expenses and insurance responsibilities. Alongside this, we have increased National Living Wage and Minimum Wage.
“There are categorically no blanket changes to self-employed contracts taking place.
“We are very much listening to our colleagues, to understand where there are any concerns and how we can swiftly resolve these and have organised internal meetings to hear their concerns.”
A spokesperson for Pizza Hut UK said: "Pizza Hut is deeply committed to ensuring a safe and fair working environment for all employees and as such has strict policies in place that its franchise businesses must adhere to.
“Although Glenshire Group operates as an independent franchisee and is ultimately responsible for its own employment practices, we take these allegations seriously.
“Glenshire will be actively engaging in the coming days with any concerned employees, and we will continue to investigate this situation.”
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