‘They think we are machines’: Hundreds of Harrods workers vote to strike over Christmas
More than one hundred workers across Harrods‘ retail, restaurant, kitchen and cleaning departments have returned an overwhelming vote in favour of strike action this Chrtistmas.
With a 95 per cent vote for industrial action, 176 workers will walk out of their jobs over the busy season, unless the luxury store addresses demands for fair pay and working conditions. They will strike from 8pm on December 20, to 9.30pm on December 22, and on December 26 from 12am to 9.30pm.
Workers are calling for more staff across multiple departments, an end to mandatory bank holiday work for cleaners, a daily meal allowance for restaurant and kitchen workers, full transparency of service charge and an end to cover charges or fair distribution amongst workers.
A Harrods spokesman said: “Those that have voted to strike are a fractional minority of our workforce and we have contingency plans in place over the Christmas period to ensure our services are not disrupted by this planned action.”
The workers are represented by United Voices of the World (UVW), a trade union for low-paid migrant workers. UVW is not a recognised union by Harrods.
Ana Ferreira, Harrods cleaner of 30 years and UVW member, said: “I have learned that us cleaners are not given any value, we are seen as low people.
“I do this job because I’m a foreigner in this country and it’s the job that I can do.
“Harrods has been a total disappointment because they don’t seem to value good workers.
“Unfortunately now, we feel they are not treating people fairly, they seem to think we are machines.”
Harrods waiter and UVW member, Alice Howick, said Harrods should be setting the standard for retail and hospitality workers, as a world leading luxury department store.
Alice Howick, Harrods waiter and UVW member, said: “Striking is a last resort for us and will only happen if Harrods continues to be unreasonable in responding to our demands.
“All we ask is that Harrods respects its employees and agrees to negotiate with us, as members of the UVW union, so a conclusion can be reached.”
A spokesman for Harrods said the company recognises the “enormous contribution” of its colleagues, particularly at busy trading periods like Christmas.
He said: “We have ongoing, open communication directly with our colleagues and our recognised unions on pay and benefits. Most recently, we have been engaging with colleagues directly through Colleague Forums and have also held town halls on issues that we know are of importance to our colleagues.
“We are committed to working with our colleagues directly to address concerns, as we have been to date and continue our constructive relationship with our recognised unions on pay and benefits.”
Pictured top: Harrods migrant workers and UVW members earlier this year (Pic: UVW)