Grace Dowling is an organizer at United Workers Union. She has a masters in human rights and has spent most of her working life in hospitality.
Last year, instructors at over 150 Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs launched a union campaign to halt underpayment, wage cuts by stealth, and deteriorating work conditions. Within a few months, management caved to their demands.
In a widely publicized article, Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham, two self-styled “Hospo Gurus” from Sydney, derided Australia’s hospitality workers as “whining” and “self-entitled.” Hospitality workers invite these shock jocks to take a look in the mirror.