More than 50 uniformed security guards and CCTV operators employed by luxury department store Harrods have commenced strike action over a pay dispute, starting at 12pm today (Friday 25 November).
The employees, who decided on strike action following a one-year 7% pay offer, also warned of demonstrations outside the store’s Knightsbridge entrance on 26 and 27 November and 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 26 December. They stated that the pay offer was lower than the real rate of inflation, which currently stands at 14.2% and continues to rise.
Harrods made a profit of £51 million in 2021/22, and last month announced that it had more than doubled the pay of managing director Michael Ward to £2.3 million. The business claimed nearly £6 million under the government’s Covid-19 (Coronavirus) furlough scheme two years ago.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Harrods and its owners, the Qatar Investment Authority, can absolutely afford to pay these workers a rise that reflects soaring living costs. Harrods, like many Qatari state enterprises, is known the world over for luxury and extravagance, an impression maintained off the backs of workers. Our members at Harrods have Unite’s full support as they fight for a fair pay rise.”
Balvinder Bir, regional officer at Unite, added: “I’m sure that Harrods’ high-end customers and store owners will not be pleased that security and CCTV operations during the Christmas period will be compromised. This is entirely the fault of Harrods, [which] needs to table an offer our members can accept.”
Harrods was contacted for comment prior to publication.