Union leaders are claiming a victory in a tribunal fight against Jamie's Italian.

Unite said members who were made redundant by the restaurant chain owned by Jamie Oliver had won their tribunal case against their former employer.

The union said the tribunal had concluded that the firm failed to adequately consult workers before they were made redundant.

The celebrity chef was forced to close all but three of his UK restaurants last year, including one in George Square, after the company was plunged into administration.

Bryan Simpson Unite Organiser for hospitality said: We are delighted that the tribunal has ruled in favour of our members at Jamie’s Italian who will now each receive 8 weeks wages in compensation.

"The Judge held that Jamie’s Italian (in administration) failed to comply with Section 188 of the Trade Union Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act which dictates how collective consultation must be carried out." 

"The way staff were treated by their former employer was despicable.

"They received a 30 minute call to tell them that they had all lost their jobs. 

"Let this be a lesson to those multi-national chains currently pressing ahead with the mass redundancy of staff during a pandemic without genuine and meaningful consultation.

"We will be ready and waiting to defend our members interests to ensure they receive what they are entitled to.”

The celebrity chef said at that time that he was “deeply saddened” by the blow to his restaurant empire, which began with the opening of Fifteen in London in 2002. Only his three outlets at Gatwick airport remained in operation as administrators sought a buyer. 

The Herald and Times has contacted the restaurant chain for comment.