Employees at Harrods have announced strikes this Christmas due to unresolved pay issues.
- The United Voices of the World union saw a 95% vote for strike action, citing low pay.
- Workers are frustrated by management’s refusal to negotiate and cancelled bonuses.
- There are demands for transparency in service charges and improvements in worker conditions.
- Harrods management claims the striking workers are a minority and have contingency plans.
Hundreds of Harrods employees are set to strike during the demanding Christmas season, driven by ongoing grievances about pay and working conditions. The workers, represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, have expressed their dissatisfaction through a decisive vote, with 95% favouring industrial action slated for 19 December.
The crux of the workers’ complaint is rooted in what they allege to be chronic issues of low pay, staff shortages, and excessive workloads. Employees believe that Harrods management has been unresponsive to their demands raised through the UVW union, compelling them to consider strikes as their last resort.
Dissatisfaction among Harrods workers has been exacerbated by the decision to withhold Christmas bonuses, especially distressing as the company’s owners reportedly took £180 million in dividends last year. Furthermore, workers have raised objections to the disparity in pay, alluding to a £2.1 million salary for the retailer’s managing director amidst stagnant wages for ground-level staff.
Employees are advocating for a series of improvements, including an annual bonus, pay increases that surpass Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation, and the hiring of additional personnel across multiple departments. Additionally, they are calling for an end to the mandatory extensive work periods imposed on part-time cleaning staff.
The workers also seek full transparency regarding service charge allocations, with monthly reports, and demand a daily meal allowance for restaurant and kitchen staff. Alice Howick, a Harrods waiter and UVW member, voiced her concerns, stating that despite Harrods’ status as a leading luxury retailer, workers are denied fundamental benefits such as a food allowance and Christmas bonus.
In response, Harrods has downplayed the impact of the planned strikes, noting that only 176 employees, which they claim represents about 10% of the staff in key areas, are involved. The company assures that it has planned to mitigate any service disruptions during this period. Harrods insists on maintaining dialogue with employees and continue working with recognised unions to address these issues.
The upcoming strike at Harrods highlights ongoing tensions between employees and management, as workers push for better pay and fair working conditions.
