I’m a pub landlord and I’ve CANCELLED rail workers’ Christmas do over their train strikes
A PUB landlord has left rail workers outraged after he cancelled their Christmas do over train strikes.
Andy Shaw, owner of the Portwall Tavern, Bristol, sparked major controversy after he refused to allow a group of striking rail workers into his pub.
He claimed to have "no opinion" about the walkouts, but his response to their booking told a different story.
The pub owner said he couldn't possibly let the party - booked in August - come in as they cost him an unforgivable amount of profit.
"I wrote back a very polite email, saying that while I wished them well in their action and hoped it would be sorted soon, I couldn’t accept the booking," he told.
"It would be hypocritical of me to do so, given I’ve lost a lot of money because of this strike," he added.
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"It’s affecting me personally, it’s affecting my staff, and also my ability to get staff in because of the train strikes."
The pub is also located close to the train station - meaning strikes have led to a massive loss in trade, according to the landlord.
The committee have booked Andy's pub for their Christmas do for the past five years but did not respond to their cancellation.
However, the Bristol Trades Union Council, went as far as passing a motion last month encouraging members to boycott Andy's pub - which they branded an "anti-worker establishment."
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The train drivers’ union’s motion read: "Trade unionists should avoid drinking here in both personal and professional capacities.
"ASLEF calls on Bristol Trades Council to encourage trade unionists to seek out independent, trade union-friendly pubs in Bristol, of which there are a significant number."
The union admitted the crippling cost of living crisis is putting pubs at risk, but asked members to only support "the establishments that share the aims and ideals of the trade union movement."
Since hearing about the committee's reaction, Andy has hit back and accused officials of "bullying" him.
He said: "They’ve got the right to strike, and I support that, but I’ve got the right to take or not take whatever bookings I want to."
This comes after thousands of Brits risk cancelling their Christmas as walkouts were scheduled all across the festive period.
They have been a result of disputes over pay, the prospect of compulsory redundancies and working conditions.
Strikes will be in place on December 13, 14, 16, 17 and then from 6.00pm Christmas Eve to December 27.
Chiltern Railways became the first operator to issue a warning that strikes will last until January 8.
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Many are warning that disruption will continue on some non-strike days because of the knock-on effect.
The National Rail journey planner is the best way to check if your journey has been affected by the strike - this is available on its website and app.
