Housekeepers announce six weeks of strikes at London hotel

Housekeepers at Radisson Blu Canary Wharf in London have announced six weeks of strike action, starting from 29 August.

 

Members of independent trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) held their first strike at the hotel on 9 August over “unsustainable” conditions.

 

Now, the housekeepers are looking to hold a six-week walk-out to demand the London Living Wage (£13.85/hour) and reduced workloads.

 

Those striking are employed by outsourcing company WGC, which oversees cleaning operations across nine Radisson properties in London.

 

They are calling for a return to 40 guaranteed hours and a requirement to clean 14 rooms a day, instead of 24, as UVW members reported this had led to increased pain and injuries.

 

UVW warned this could be the UK’s longest ever hotel strike since 1979, when the chambermaids at the Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane took strike action in response to the dismissal and eviction of 30 of their colleagues.

 

Doris Selembo, housekeeper for Radisson Blu for more than 30 years, said: “We were all a bit nervous before the first strike on the 9 August but were so encouraged by the huge support from everyone at the union and all the people that came to join us on the day. After the first strike, we feel like we’re not alone anymore. Now the whole team is really excited for the six weeks of strikes. After deciding on the plan together we are all really motivated to keep fighting. We’re still fighting, and we’ll keep going until we get our demands met.” 

 

Petros Elia, general secretary at UVW, added: “This dispute marks a significant moment in the fight for workers’ rights in London’s hospitality sector. Not only is it the first hotel workers strike in nearly 50 years but is also now gearing up to be the longest hotel workers strike ever in the UK. These women workers are sending a clear message that exploitation will not go unchallenged. They deserve dignity, respect and a living wage, and UVW will support them all the way until victory.” 

 

Radisson Blu Canary Wharf has been contacted for comment.