London Citizens attacks lack of response to London Living Wage call

Campaign group London Citizens has expressed outrage at the lack of response from industry bodies to its calls to implement a London Living Wage at hotels in the capital ahead of the Olympics.

In a document released by London Citizens and trade union Unite last week, called Rooms for change: Putting London hotels on track for the Olympics, the group demanded hotel workers be granted a London Living Wage of £7.45, and for unions to be given unimpeded access, as well as more training and advancement opportunities for staff.

It also urged chief executives, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and Visit Britain to support the campaign.

However, although the BHA did respond last week, stating "now is not the time to demand that hotels introduce a London Living Wage", the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Mayor's office have both declined to comment.

Marketing body VisitLondon told Caterersearch that, although it had seen the report, it felt the matter was one for "individual hotels as employers" to address, although it said it would asking members for feedback.

A spokeswoman for London Citizens said it was "outrageous and ridiculous" that the organisations had failed to respond to on the report.

She said: "It is not about individual hotels. We are talking about a whole industry change, that's why we have proposed a strategy in the document. We ask for the BHA to meet with us and they just ignore us. It just shows how arrogant they are."

London Citizens is due to meet minister for the Olympics and London, Tessa Jowell, over Easter to discuss its proposals for a London Living Wage.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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