26.08.2025 / Press releases /

Hotel Housekeepers call off 6-week strike at international hotel chain after historic victory 

Hotel Housekeepers call off 6-week strike at international hotel chain after historic victory 

• A group of mainly migrant women from Nepal, working as housekeepers at international hotel chain in Canary Wharf have called off further strike action after successful negotiations saw all demands met. 

• The housekeepers, members of United Voices of the World (UVW) were due to walkout on Sunday, 29^th August for 6 weeks in what was set to be the UK’s longest hotel strike since 1979. 

• The workers had previously taken strike action on 9th August 2025 in what was the first strike of hotel workers in England since 1979 

Housekeepers employed at international hotel chain Radisson Blu in Canary Wharf have called off a planned six-week strike after successful negotiations saw all demands met.   

The workers, who are mostly migrant women from Nepal and members of United Voices of the World (UVW), had been set to walk out on Sunday, 29th August in what would have become the longest hotel strike in the UK since 1979. The workers had previously taken strike action on 9th August 2025 in what was the first strike of hotel workers in England since 1979. 

Following intense negotiations with UVW, outsourcing giant WGC – which provides facilities services to nine Radisson Blu Hotels in London – agreed to work collaboratively with UVW and resolve all issues of dispute including awarding pay rises and back-payments, reducing workload and returning hours to a guaranteed agreed minimum. In response, the workers voted unanimously to call off their planned strike.  

This breakthrough marks a major and historic win for housekeepers who have been at the margin of the union movement for decades with the last walk out and win in England not seen for nearly 50 years.   

Doris Selembo, housekeeper for Radisson Blu for over 30 years said:  

“The whole team stood together and achieved this win! We are both excited and grateful. Excited for the future and we are grateful because we are with UVW and WGC are finally listening to us.”  
  

Petros Elia, UVW General Secretary said:  
 
“This is the first victory in the hotel sector in London or England since 1979. Our women members have proven beyond doubt that when workers organise, stand together, and fight, they win. They have made history. They sent a message that could not be ignored — a demand for dignity, respect, guaranteed full time hours, reduced workloads and a living wage. And this time, their bosses listened. We said we would support them every step of the way, and that is exactly what we did. Housekeepers are no longer at the margins of the union movement. Now they are not only in the centre of it but are leading by example.”  

Note to editors:

About the dispute  

Housekeepers at Radisson Blu, Canary Wharf, called for: 

• Guaranteed 40-hour contracts 
• Pay increase to the London Living Wage of £13.85 p/h 
• Reduced Workloads (back to 14 rooms/day)  

Visit the Justice for Housekeepers campaign page here >> 
 

About UVW 
 
United Voices of the World is an anti-racist, member-led, direct action, campaigning trade union and we exist to support and empower the most vulnerable groups of precarious, low-paid and predominantly BAME and migrant workers in the UK. We fight the bosses through direct action on the streets and through the courts and demand that all members receive at least the London Living Wage, full pay, sick pay, dignity, equality and respect. 
 

For more information contact the UVW comms team. 
 
Isabel or Oli: 07706 987443 

E-mail: comms@uvwunion.org.uk    

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