RMT boss Mick Lynch backs Norton’s Irish bar discount scheme for key workers in Digbeth

The RMT boss paid a surprise visit to Nortons bar in Digbeth and backed their 20% discount for all teachers and nurses - and hospitality staff
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

British trade union leader Mick Lynch gave a leading Birmingham bar and music venue his backing following the nightspot’s rollout of a discount card for key workers and a pledge to deliver the living wage for its staff.

After leading a thousands in a protest at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham on Sunday, the RMT boss visited the independently run Norton’s Bar in Digbeth to pull pints and chat to customers and staff, sharing stories about the strikes which are affecting people across the country, and explaing why he believed they are necessary to improve working conditions for rail workers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The latest train strike sees Birmingham New Street shut today with no rail services running, and journeys to be hit tomorrow morning too as workers return to work. The next strike is on Saturday.

During his visit, the secretary general of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union met with Norton’s Digbeth owner Peter Connolly and praised the Birmingham Irish pub for its initiative offering up to 20% discount for all teachers, nurses, and hospitality staff - who he stressed were among those most affected by Conservative government policies over the past decade. Mr Lynch was also impressed with the bar’s commitment to pay all staff the UK Living Wage of £10.90 an hour.

Mick Lynch at Nortons in DigbethMick Lynch at Nortons in Digbeth
Mick Lynch at Nortons in Digbeth

What did Nortons say about the visit?

Nortons Digbeth owner Peter Connolly said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Mick Lynch after the demonstration and secure his support for our small but important recognition of those who give their time and expertise to the public sector - but don’t always receive the financial reward they deserve from the current government.

“At a time when wage increases aren’t matching inflation, it’s important to ensure those who contribute most to keeping the public sector afloat are supported. Many of our regulars are teachers and nurses - my mother is a teacher; my father was a nurse - so we know this is the least Nortons, as a local business, can do for our hard-working customers who aren’t seeing a real-term pay rise this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As a “Living Wage Foundation” employer, we want to ensure all staff, regardless of age or experience, earn a decent wage for a decent day’s work. All team members and contractors employed through Nortons earn at least £10.90 an hour, which is above the government’s recommended living wage, and the minimum set by The Living Wage Foundation.”

Public sector and hospitality industry workers eligible for the Nortons Black Card scheme are able to apply for and collect a discount card at the venue.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.