Search
23.04.2026 / News / West End Quays
“We all have a right to a decent life and to feel financially secure (…) We remain positive, which is why we have voted to strike again. We are not letting our guard down.”
Karin, cleaner and UVW member
Cleaners and concierges at West End Quay in central London have once again voted to take strike action, delivering a unanimous result in the third ballot in just over a year. The dispute, now in its 19th month, has become the longest-running in UVW’s history — and workers say they are determined to see it through.
The 100% YES vote reflects growing frustration among staff, who say they are still waiting for the 2025 pay rise and a 2025 bonus that was never paid. Many feel they have been left with no choice but to escalate.
Francesco Lombardo, a concierge and UVW member, put it plainly:“The reason we balloted for strike once again is because we still haven’t been given the 2025 pay rise and the bonus which was denied at the last minute, by offering us a draconian contract. We know where we stand.”
The dispute began after management imposed a pay freeze and reneged on an ACAS-brokered deal, triggering a wave of industrial action throughout 2025, including three strikes. Since then, tensions have only deepened, with workers pointing to broken commitments and a lack of respect in the workplace.
“They need to give us respect,” said Abdul Awudu, another concierge and UVW member. “There’s no respect and no motivation at work. We feel that we are working in a toxic environment.”
Workers are now demanding full pay restoration, backdated to 1 January 2026, as well as payment of the outstanding Christmas bonuses. They are also calling on management to honour the bargaining agreement, including 12 days of paid sick leave per year.
Instead, workers say WEQ has imposed a rolling 12-month system for sick leave, meaning entitlement does not reset annually — a move they argue directly contradicts what was agreed and was introduced without consultation.
For many, the fight is about more than just pay. It’s about being able to live with dignity in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Karin, a cleaner and UVW member, said: “We are asking for the bonuses which we used to get. We are just asking for what is fair, so we can afford to live in this city. My colleagues and I work extremely hard to earn a living. In my case, I have to provide for my elderly parents. Everything is going up — inflation, rent, transport. We all have a right to a decent life and to feel financially secure. This long-running dispute has been very difficult for us, but we remain positive, which is why we have voted to strike again. We are not letting our guard down.”
The dispute also includes ongoing legal claims against management, including allegations of trade union victimisation, discrimination and breaches of collective agreements, with claims now exceeding £200,000.
For union members, the message from this ballot is clear: unity remains strong, and workers are prepared to keep going. They are not backing down.
Keep your eyes peeled for updates on strike dates.
Support the workers on the picket line!
23.04.2026 / West End Quays
14.04.2026 / Amazon / Justice for Cleaners
07.04.2026 / Justice for Cleaners
144 Cambridge Heath Road
London E1 5QJ
07884 553443 (English)
07775 697605 (Español)
info@uvwunion.org.uk
SOCIAL MEDIA
