ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Cleaners are among the hundreds of Harrods employees who are balloting to strike from December 19.

Staff members are complaining of overwork, stagnant wages and stripped-back benefits. But Harrods claims not to recognise the United Voices of the World Union representing the 250-plus employees.

Conditions in the cleaning department in particular have deteriorated over recent years, according to Harrods cleaner and UVW union member Lourenco Hernandes.

"People feel disrespected and bullied and some of us - the part-time cleaners - are forced to work nine days in a row, with shifts starting at 5am," he said. "People are struggling, stressed and even getting sick from the strain. We want this changed to five-day rotas."

He claims staff shortages to be among the biggest problems facing the luxury department store today.

"We used to have around 60 cleaners on the early morning shift and there are now less than half that," he said.

"Harrods is getting bigger but the cleaning staff is shrinking - which is why we're doing more than double the work and it is now mandatory to work Bank Holidays while days off are getting refused and so on."

Members of the retail, restaurant and kitchen teams are also considering strike action during the store's busiest season. Staff members are calling for guarantees on fair pay rises in line with inflation.

A Harrods spokesperson said: "We continue to have open communication directly with our colleagues and our recognised unions on pay and benefits."