Harrods to replace strikers with agency staff

Harrods is expected to take advantage of new legislations to replace its striking workers with agency staff.

Owned by the state of Qatar via its sovereign wealth fund, the London department store will employ skilled agency workers to fill staffing gaps caused by strikes.

A letter sent on 8 August to staff working in store services, engineering, maintenance and security, stated: "Recent legislative changes relating to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations now allows agencies to provide temporary workers to perform duties normally performed by a worker who is on strike. We are therefore no longer restricted from engaging temporary workers should any industrial action take place now or in the future."

The letter comes after ministers lifted a ban on temporary staff being allowed to replace striking workers on 21 July, following Britain's biggest rail strike in 30 years.

Approximately 150 members of Unite union, who work at the store will vote on strike action in a row over pay, with the ballot closing on 1 September.

Harrods' staff have rejected an initial 5% pay offer and talks with the conciliation service Acas were agreed.

Two days before the Acas talks, and without notifying Unite’s workplace representatives or officials, Harrods wrote to security staff offering them a 7% pay rise to bring their below-average wages up to industry standards.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham responded: "It comes as no surprise that Harrods - known for catering to the supremely well-off - could be the first employer Unite has come across to threaten low paid staff with the recent government legislation designed to break strikes.

"Harrod’s attempts to use this new legislation to bully our members doesn’t change a thing. Unite is prepared for all eventualities and our members at Harrods will receive the full backing of the union in their fight for a fair pay rise."