Shift Patterns: Experiments in Hospitality Organising

by Notes from Below

In this issue of Notes from Below, we focus on the hospitality industry in Britain. Hospitality sits within a group of sectors that are considered by the union establishment to be “unorganisable.” This issue shows this is not the case.

One of the most exciting aspects of the uptick in hospitality organising featured in this issue is the potential these struggles hold, both for transforming the industry, as well as in providing a training ground for a new generation of workplace militants. Each of the writers reflect on the different successes, challenges, and ways forward for organising in the industry.

87 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue is great. It covers various attempts to resist against and organise around the industry's deepening reliance on precaritisation (zero-hour contracts, digitisation, delivery platforms) and reflect on successes/failures.

I found Nick Francis' piece inquiring into bouncer work-life particularly insightful. Especially the contradictions between profit maximisation and bouncer/staff safety as well as how their relationship with the police is not necessarily sympathetic. Certainly helped me to see the role in a new light.

The final piece, which contextualises the hospitality industry within broader changes in job distribution in contemporary Britain, was a lovely digestif of political economy tying the whole issue together.

[Wendy Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

hell yeah