Brewdog's Staff Reapplication Request Sparks Union Backlash
Brewdog has come under scrutiny after requesting its former employees to reapply for their positions, a move described by a union as a "fire and rehire" strategy.
Employees at the Merchant City bar in Glasgow received emails from Brewdog's head of operations inviting them to apply for various roles.
Unite the union condemned the approach, labeling it a "blatant attempt to strip workers of their rights" and urged the new owners to reconsider their decision.
Ownership Change and Impact on Staff
Brewdog's brewery and 11 of its bars were acquired by US company Tilray for £33 million following Brewdog's administration. The deal resulted in the closure of 38 pubs and the redundancy of 484 staff members.
In correspondence reviewed by BBC Scotland News, Steven Hill, Brewdog's head of operations, stated that Tilray Brands UK is "now working towards reopening a small number of additional bars." It is understood that these include the Merchant City location and Castlegate in Aberdeen.
Hill added that the company is "building new teams" as part of this reopening process.
Union Response and Legal Action Plans
Bryan Simpson, Unite's national lead on hospitality, strongly criticized the move.
"This is fire and rehire, plain and simple - and it is morally reprehensible and, in our view, unlawful.
This is a blatant attempt to strip workers of their rights and force them to compete for work they should still be in."
Simpson informed BBC Scotland News that the union intends to pursue legal action against the company.
"These workers built these venues. To sack them and then invite them back on potentially worse terms is an abuse of power.
We are calling on Brewdog's new operators to halt this process immediately and reinstate workers with their full rights intact."
He referenced the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, which safeguard employees when venues reopen at the same location, stating that staff should be transferred into the new roles accordingly.
BBC Scotland News has reached out to Brewdog, Tilray, and AlixPartners for comment on the situation.
Details of Communication to Former Staff
In the email sent to Merchant City staff, Hill acknowledged the difficulties faced in recent weeks and the impact on employees and their colleagues.
"We recognise that the last few weeks have been incredibly difficult and will have had a real impact on you and your colleagues.
We appreciate that you may have strong feelings about what has happened and we fully respect that you may not wish to engage further."
The message indicated that former staff were contacted due to their "previous connection with the bar." Available positions mentioned in the email included general manager and kitchen crew roles.
On Friday, the Press and Journal reported that an identical email was sent to staff at the Castlegate venue in Aberdeen.
Background on Brewdog's Sale and Operations
Brewdog was placed on the market in February after appointing consultancy firm AlixPartners, which also served as administrators during the process.
AlixPartners noted there was "significant interest" in the company but no offers were received that would preserve Brewdog in its entirety.
Tilray, a US-based beverage and medical cannabis company, purchased Brewdog's UK brewing operations, brand, and 11 pubs.
Brewdog, founded by friends James Watt and Martin Dickie in 2007, operated breweries and pubs worldwide, including approximately 60 locations in the UK.
