Harrods workers announce a strike over pay and work conditions during the Christmas season.
- A majority of Harrods staff in retail, restaurant, kitchen, and cleaning roles back the strike.
- The United Voices of the World union has organised the industrial action set for 19 December.
- Workers cite stagnant wages and refusal from management to address grievances as reasons for the strike.
- Harrods management claims only a small fraction of the workforce is participating in the strike.
Harrods employees have declared their intention to strike during the crucial Christmas trading period, driven by a dispute over pay and working conditions. This move comes after members from various departments, including retail, restaurant, kitchen, and cleaning, who are represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, with a notable 95% supporting the decision.
The conflict stems from longstanding issues such as low pay, understaffing, and excessive workloads, according to the workers. They allege that Harrods management has consistently ignored attempts by the UVW to discuss and resolve these matters. In addition to these complaints, employees have expressed dissatisfaction over being denied a Christmas bonus, especially in light of Harrods’ owners receiving £180 million in dividends the previous year, and the managing director’s significant salary of £2.1 million, while employee wages have remained relatively unchanged.
The UVW is demanding several changes, including an annual bonus for workers, a guaranteed annual pay increase that exceeds the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation, increased staffing levels, and the cessation of mandatory bank holiday shifts for cleaners. They are also calling for Harrods to stop requiring part-time cleaners to work nine consecutive days. Additional demands include transparency in the service charge with monthly reporting and a daily meal allowance for staff in restaurants and kitchens. A Harrods waiter and UVW member, Alice Howick, argued that Harrods should set an example for the industry, criticising the current treatment of workers despite the company’s considerable profits.
In response, a Harrods spokesperson has indicated that only a small segment of the workforce, about 176 employees or roughly 10% of those in the affected departments, have opted to join the strike. Harrods assures the public that contingency plans are in place to maintain service levels during the planned strike period. Furthermore, the company states its commitment to engaging directly with employees to address their concerns and continues to express a willingness to work constructively with recognised unions on issues of pay and benefits.
The upcoming strike at Harrods highlights ongoing tensions over employee pay and conditions, underscoring broader issues within retail.
