STAFF at one of Scotland's biggest nightclubs have lodged an official complaint listing almost 50 separate issues.
Around two-thirds of workers at the Cathouse rock club in Glasgow have signed a collective complaint listing 48 issues, according to trade union Unite.
Among the alleged issues include severe mould in the building, toilets flooding, workers having to clean up faeces without proper PPE and infestation of vermin and insects.
The way staff have been treated by senior management has also been cited as an issue.
Unite said that despite receiving notification of a formal grievance 25 days ago, senior management at Hold Fast Entertainment – which owns Cathouse as well as The Garage, another nightclub in the city centre – had failed to meet workers to discuss concerns.
The union added that it will now support workers to take "all reasonable action industrially and legally to win a safer/fairer workplace".
Bryan Simpson, lead organiser for Unite Hospitality, said: "The way in which our members at the Cathouse have been treated for years by senior management at Holdfast is nothing short of a scandal.
"Some of the worst health and safety breaches we've ever seen as a union and terrible pay and conditions to boot.
"We need this company to stop burying their head in the sand and to listen to their workers, the vast majority of whom want a collective voice in the workplace."
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Two-Thirds of workers at one of Scotland’s biggest nightclubs @CathouseGlasgow have unionised and submitted a formal collective grievance citing shocking working conditions including: ☢️Complete neglect of building maintenance which has led to severe mould,…
— Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) April 11, 2025
Cathouse first launched in 1990 in the now-demolished Hollywood Studios building on Brown Street in Glasgow, before moving to its current site on Union Street in 1997.
A spokesperson for The Cathouse said: "We are aware of grossly inaccurate and defamatory social media posts and on which we are taking legal advice. The allegations relating to working conditions are in many cases historic and where problems were identified, were resolved immediately. In any event, Unite’s characterisation is wholly misleading.
"We have continually offered to meet our employees and we have provided a detailed response last month to the grievance.
"We have a proud 35-year record of running our business collaboratively with our employees. Our status as a leading national venue was recognised in the Best Bar None award of ‘Best nightclub in Scotland’ in 2024. We have won many awards and widespread praise for our approach to customer welfare and to health and safety. Our success has come with support of our dedicated staff and our loyal and diverse customers.
"Any issues relating to employment or health and safety matters are always dealt with responsibly and professionally. We engage positively with our employees on a regular basis and are always happy to address legitimate issues as they arise.
"We respect the rights of our employees to be members of trade unions and will always engage in a positive and conciliatory manner with them, but we are not prepared to bow to what we consider unreasonable threats and misleading statements about our venue and committed management team."
