Staff at luxury department store Harrods are preparing to strike over Christmas . Over 250 retail, restaurant, kitchen, and cleaning workers at the Knightsbridge, London store are looking to take the action over working conditions and demands for a Christmas bonus. They are represented by the United Voices of the World union, which has sent Harrods a Notice of Intention to Ballot which closes on December 4, with strike action expected to commence on December 19.
The world-famous luxury London store reportedly handed out £180 million in bonuses to its owners and awarded a £2.1 million salary to its Managing Director - but frontline staff have faced stripped benefits, staff shortages and stagnant wages. Potential action comes in response to rising grievances, particularly over staff shortages, guarantees on fair pay rises in line with RPI inflation, scrapping the cover charge in restaurants and the need for transparency over the distribution of service charge.
Many benefits, such as a Christmas bonus and voluntary bank holiday work for cleaning staff have been whittled away. UVW said Harrods’ management has so far refused to engage or even recognise the workers’ union, ignoring their demands. This will be UVW's fifth campaign at Harrods, following four previous wins for tips, substantial pay rises and against unfair leave policies.
Harrods has a troubling history of poor treatment of its workforce, including serious allegations of rape and sexual abuse against former owne.