Harrods workers threaten Bank Holiday strike

Harrods faces the prospect of summer strikes in a row about pay and conditions.

Trade union Unite is to ballot 275 workers the at world famous department store unless it improves a 3.5% pay offer and sticks to a commitment to increase annual holiday allowances.

The ballot will open on 4 August and run for two weeks. A strike could then follow during the last week of August.

The strike would include engineers, drivers, warehouse operatives and maintenance workers at the Knightsbridge store.

Unite regional officer Debbie McSweeney said: “If this strike goes ahead the rich and famous might have to find somewhere else to do their shopping. Our members keep Harrods running, they ensure the lights stay on, the building operates safely and shoppers can get about the store. It is difficult to imagine how the shop could function properly without them.

“Unless Harrods returns to the negotiating table with an improved and fairer deal for our members, the world’s most famous store faces a very expensive strike.”

The union claims staff were told by Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, that they would be given an extra two days leave. However, union members later learned that they were excluded from this arrangement.

A Harrods spokesman said it would not make an improved offer and the store would remain open as usual during any strikes.

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