16.02.2026 / Press releases / radisson blu

After historic hotel strike win, Radisson Blu housekeepers take trade union recognition fight to CAC tribunal 

For immediate release 

After historic hotel strike win, Radisson Blu housekeepers take trade union recognition fight to CAC tribunal 

·         Housekeepers outsourced to WGC Ltd at two Radisson Blu hotels — Canary Wharf and Euston Square — have submitted applications for statutory recognition at the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC)  

·         The workforce is predominantly made up of migrant women, largely from Nepal and India.  

·         Workers at the Canary Wharf hotel made history last summer by organising the first hotel strike in England in more than 45 years — a dispute that ended in a complete victory for staff. 

·         The housekeepers, all members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, are now seeking formal recognition at both hotels. If successful, this would mark the first union recognition agreement for hotel workers at Radisson Blu in the UK.   

·         Winning recognition would set an important precedent in the hospitality sector, which has long been characterised by low pay, excessive workloads, and low levels of unionisation. 

UVW already represents a supermajority of housekeepers at both hotels. Under statutory recognition rules, only 50% workforce membership is required for the CAC to grant recognition. The union argues that WGC’s refusal to recognise workers voluntarily is therefore unjustified and unnecessarily prolongs the process.  

Last summer the housekeepers at Radisson Blu Canary Wharf, all UVW members, went on strike over poor pay, punishing workloads and cuts in hours implemented when WGC took over the cleaning contract for the hotel chain. Their strike action – the first hotel strike in England since 1979 – resulted in a landmark victory with the employer conceding all their demands.  

Inspired by their colleagues’ success, housekeepers at Radisson Blu Euston Square organised collectively and successfully secured the same improvements through campaigning and negotiations, without taking strike action.  

These victories demonstrate the resilience, courage, and unity of the workforce.  

Workers say formal union recognition is now essential to safeguarding these gains and ensuring they have a meaningful voice in workplace decisions. 

One of the Radisson Blu Euston Square housekeepers said: 

“Recognition is important because it means that whatever decision WGC takes, they must go through us. It means that when they try to do things like they did before, when they cut our hours or increased our workload, we have a way to fight back against it earlier and make them sit down with us. Recognition means we know we have the union behind us, and we can protect ourselves better.” 

Petros Elia, UVW General Secretary, said:  

“It is deeply disappointing that WGC has refused this request from their dedicated workforce, many of whom have provided years of service at Radisson Blu. The CAC process should not be necessary if the employer adopted a cooperative and constructive approach — it would save time and resources for everyone involved. 

“Our members have shown extraordinary resilience and courage, organising the first hotel strike in England in over 45 years and winning meaningful improvements to their working lives. They deserve respect and a genuine seat at the table when decisions are made about their pay, workloads, and wellbeing. 

“This is about dignity, fairness, and respect at work. These workers are raising standards across the hospitality sector, which has long been plagued by exploitation and under-unionisation.” 

Attached picture: Credit UVW

For further information, contact the UVW communications team:
   

Cristina: 07548 759340
   

Email: comms@uvwunion.org.uk   

About UVW      

United Voices of the World (UVW) is a grassroots union representing low-paid, insecure, and predominantly migrant and BAME workers, including cleaners, concierges, couriers, carers, and hospitality staff across London.     

ENDS 

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