UNION chiefs are opening a hotel with a firm fined for failing to pay staff the minimum wage.
Red Len McCluskeys Unite has signed a deal with Marriott for the four-star, 195-room Aloft Hotel.
Len McCluskeys Unite has signed a deal with Marriott for the four-star, 195-room Aloft Hotel in Birmingham
Tory MP David Morris has spoke out against the hypocrisy of the deal
It will launch in Birmingham this year and be the home for Unites regional staff.
In 2018, Marriott had to pay 71,723 that it failed to give to 279 minimum wage workers.
Unite was behind a November protest highlighting low pay among Premier Inn staff.
Tory MP David Morris branded the hotel deal hypocrisy of the highest order.
He added: Its incredible that a union whose ultimate aim is to stand up for workers has signed this.
The hotel will also feature a conference centre for 850 delegates.
Marriott confirmed it signed the Aloft deal in 2017.
It will not employ any staff in the hotel but will provide branding and their reservation system.
It said of the fine: When an error was identified by a routine audit in 2015, we co-operated fully with HMRC and promptly reimbursed all those affected.
We have apologised to all associates impacted by this error. We have also taken steps to ensure it cannot happen again. Unite said workers at the hotel will be on the living wage and represented by a union.
A spokesman added: In an industry better known, sadly, for bad employment practices, Unite is showing that this sector can do better and succeed.
This is a statement of our intent to provide decent employment, of our commitment to this community and of our determination to change this industry from within.
