“There’s a real sense that everyone’s fed up and has had enough, and we’re ready to push for more. It feels like they throw us breadcrumbs and expect us to accept it, while they only seem to care about their own business interests. It’s on us to stand up and ensure workers are protected, and we’re prepared to strike to make that happen.”

Alice Howick, Harrods waiter and member of UVW.

Instead of a Christmas carol, Harrods is singing from the same old tune of neglect. Much like a modern-day Scrooge, Harrods is denying its dedicated workforce what they deserve, prioritising profits and paying grotesque sums to its owners – among the richest people in the world.

Harrods’ workers are being balloted for strike action over the busy Christmas season unless the luxury London store promptly addresses their demands. This will be UVW’s fifth campaign at Harrods, and the third strike ballot, following four previous wins for tips, substantial pay rises and against unfair leave policies.

With the world-famous luxury London store handing out £180 million in bonuses to its owners and awarding a £2.1 million salary to its managing director, workers are questioning why they’re facing stripped benefits, overwork due to staff shortages and stagnant wages.

Meet the workers:

Lourenco Hernandes (left), Harrods cleaner from Goa and UVW member said: “Conditions in the cleaning department have been getting worse. People feel disrespected and bullied, and some of us, the part-time cleaners, are forced to work 9 days in a row, which means we hardly ever get a weekend off. This is really difficult because we have very early starts. It’s not easy to wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning every day for 9 days straight. People are struggling, stressed, and even getting sick from the strain. We want this changed to 5-day rotas.”

“One of the biggest problems is the staff shortage. We used to have some 60 cleaners on the early morning shift, and now there are less than half that. We’re doing more than double the work. Harrods is getting bigger, but the cleaning staff is shrinking, which is why it is now mandatory to work Bank Holidays (before it was voluntary) and days off get refused, and so on. We need more staff to allow some flexibility. But they keep telling us it’s not possible. Management doesn’t seem to be taking us seriously, but this has to stop now.”

“We want Bank Holidays to be voluntary, as they used to be. We don’t want to be forced to work on Bank Holidays. Management should just post a request, and those who want to work for extra pay can, while others can spend that time with their families. That’s how it used to be; now it’s mandatory, which isn’t fair. We want this policy changed.”

Alice Howick (left), Harrods waiter and member of UVW, said: “There’s a real sense that everyone’s fed up and has had enough, and we’re ready to push for more. It feels like they throw us breadcrumbs and expect us to accept it, while they only seem to care about their own business interests. It’s on us to stand up and ensure workers are protected, and we’re prepared to strike to make that happen.”

“It’s very hard work. We have hundreds of covers each day and in the busier periods it’s non-stop, we are running around most of the time and we’ve been struggling with staff shortages and working conditions. We really feel the standards have slipped in the last few years. The expectations of our employer have increased if anything – they always look for staff to make more money (for the business) and for that the service has to be exceptional – but when we are not given the tools to do that it can be very difficult.“

“We are asking for Harrods to remove the cover charge, and we are asking for more transparency with regards to the distribution of the service charge, who’s getting it and what they are getting. This ought to be a monthly or even a weekly report.

We are supposed to get 100% of the service charge and we also get cash tips but we believe there are people who aren’t entitled to the service charge who are getting it because the numbers just don’t seem to add up.”

“We are also asking for a meal allowance and a Xmas bonus to help us cope with the cost of living. We work in central London but can’t cope with the prices there because of our low salaries.”