Kimpton Clocktower Manchester workers set to strike during Manchester Pride
On what is described as “the most lucrative day of the year for their employer”, a number of staff are protesting for 24 hours
By Aaron Sugg
Kimpton Clocktower workers are set to strike during Manchester Pride, including Unite members at the Manchester hotel and its bar venue, The Refuge.
On what is described as “the most lucrative day of the year for their employer”, a number of staff are protesting over seeking formal union recognition from owner InterContinental Hotels Group UK.
They will take 24 hours of strike action on 29 August 2026, though staff tell Attitude that bookings and The Refuge’s Pride party Come As You Are will not be affected.
“Management has bullied them and undertaken union busting at every turn” – Unite general secretary Sharon Graham on the strike
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in a news release: “Our members at Kimpton Clocktower are simply seeking to be represented by their union, but instead of granting them this, management has bullied them and undertaken union busting at every turn.”
Workers have been seeking formal union recognition to improve working conditions after raising concerns with management.
Unite said IHG has refused formal union recognition and has sacked two senior Unite representatives, which the union describes as being based on “trumped up charges”.
Unite claimed the workers were targeted because of their union activities, which it said is illegal under UK employment law.
“Our members have shown they will not stand for it” – Unite regional officer Alison Treacher on the Manchester Pride strike
Previous strikes this summer reportedly caused financial disruption, including the early closure of the bar during several events because there were not enough staff. These included World Cup viewing parties.
Manchester City Council also said it was considering cancelling its provisional booking for the Best of Manchester Awards at the hotel in October in support of the striking workers.
Unite regional officer Alison Treacher said: “A strike on Kimpton’s most profitable day is entirely of its own making. Throughout this dispute Kimpton Clocktower management have treated its loyal workforce with contempt and our members have shown they will not stand for it.”
Treacher added: “There is still time to avoid this highly disruptive strike action, but that relies on IHG changing tack by listening to its members and giving them the union recognition they have long been calling for.”