THE DISPUTE
Harrods in Knightsbridge is Europe’s largest department store in London’s most exclusive retail/residential postcode. In 2010 it was sold to the Qatari royal family, who now own more of the capital city than the Crown Estate! All tastes and cravings are catered for in Harrods’ dozens of fancy bars, cafes, eateries and restaurants.
In late 2016, UVW learned of Harrods’ rules concerning service charges, which absurdly enabled the company to keep between 50-75% of all tips for itself. Once a group of chefs and waiters from various departments had joined the union, an immediate claim was submitted for 100% of tips to go to staff. This would represent around £5,000 of extra annual income for each of the 500 staff affected, or £2.5 million per year for the Emirs of Qatar. Naturally, the idea of sharing service tips among the service staff was rejected outright, and UVW began planning for protests and strikes.
On the first Saturday of 2017, with January sales in full swing up and down the Brompton Road, a demonstration descended upon the lush window displays and blocked traffic outside. A giant inflatable cube was draped with a banner reading “Stop Stealing Our Tips” while arrests were made of some of UVW’s supporters, one for a red smoke bomb. Armed with loud horns, cleaning mops, and one highly effective walking stick, UVW members were joined by hospitality staff and others, paralysing everything for several hours. Fearing more of the same, Harrods quickly announced that 100% of tips would be shared under an accountable system.
CAMPAIGN VIDEO
The Battle of the Tips Continues: Harrods Staff Take £1 Cover Charge Fight to Tribunal
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A UVW member and current Harrods employee, who complained of sexual harassment this year, has accused the luxury department store of treating ‘victims like…
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Harrods’ migrant cleaners call off strike after forcing policy change on annual leave
Harrods night cleaners, who are United Voices of the World (UVW) members, forced a policy change and called off their planned strike action after…
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Following two UVW victorious disputes for workers’ tips in 2017 and a huge 25 percent wage increase in December 2021, Harrods’s hospitality workers are…
Strike averted as workers celebrate huge 25% pay rise at Harrods
Restaurant workers at Harrods, London’s emblematic luxury department store, have won a huge pay rise of almost 25% for hundreds of waiting and kitchen…
Victory at Harrods!
VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY! We have beaten Harrods, the richest and most prestigious department store in the world! 100% of the service charge will now…
OUR WINS
Tips
All chefs and waiters were able to keep 100% of their tips. Putting £5,000 back into the pockets of every worker!
Outreach
Created a national debate which led to most other restaurants in the country stopping the once common practice of tip pinching!