Harrods can 'absolutely afford' pay rise for security staff

More than 50 Harrods uniformed security guards and CCTV operators will strike during November and December over a ‘pay cut dressed up as rise’, Unite said today (November 18).

The workers will strike over a seven per cent pay offer on 25, 26 and 27 November and 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 26 December. The offer is a pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, stands at 14.2 per cent and rising.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham 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.”

Harrods made a profit of £51 million in 2021/22 and doubled the pay of its managing director Michael Ward to £2.3 million, even though the company claimed nearly £6 million under the government’s Covid furlough scheme.

Meanwhile, security staff at the luxury department store are paid less than industry standard.

The strike action will be accompanied by a picket line outside of Harrod’s main entrance in Knightsbridge.

Unite regional officer Balvinder Bir 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 is swimming in cash but offering a pay cut dressed up as rise. The company needs to table an offer our members can accept.”

By Ryan Fletcher