Net-a-Porter warehouse workers in London voting to strike over pay
More than 100 workers at Net‑a‑Porter's Charlton warehouse in South London are voting on strike action over being paid a London Living Wage, with the ballot closing on 25 March.
The luxury retailer, which wholly owns the Charlton warehouse, reportedly promised workers the London Living Wage in 2021, but has now offered workers lower pay, according to the trade union GMB.
The ballot for strike action opened to workers on 2 March and will run until 25 March. The outcome of the vote will then decide whether strike action is taken.
Craig Prickett, GMB Regional Organiser, told TheIndustry.fashion: "Our members simply want the company to honour the commitment it previously made to them. This ballot is about ensuring promises aren’t just words, but actions that deliver the fair pay they were assured.
The London Living Wage is set at £14.80 per hour in 2026 and is distinct from the mandatory National Living Wage, which is set at £12.71 per hour.
According to GMB, Charlton warehouse workers were promised a pay rise to meet the Living Wage, but the current proposal from Net-a-Porter would see the lowest-paid workers receive £14.41 per hour. For a 37.5-hour work week, a London Living Wage equates to a salary of approximately £28,860 per year, while the lowest-paid staff on the proposed salary would earn £761 less annually.
"Workers are already dealing with rising costs and increasing workloads following the recent restructuring. Instead of recognising their contribution, the company has offered a pay proposal that keeps wages well below what is needed to live in London," said Prickett.
This is not the first time that strike action has been announced at the Charlton warehouse. In 2023 91% of GMB union members voted for action to strike in the run-up to Christmas, citing ongoing disputes about pay. After announcing 22 days of strikes starting on 7 November, it was called off at the eleventh hour when an agreement was reached to pay warehouse workers the minimum of the then London Living Wage of £13.15 per hour, representing a pay rise of 10% for some workers.
Prickett added: “For a luxury fashion brand serving wealthy customers around the world, it is simply unacceptable that the people doing the work are struggling to make ends meet in London. GMB members do not want to take strike action, but they deserve fairness, respect and a wage that reflects the cost of their lives in the capital.”
Net-A-Porter's parent company LuxExperience commented: "LuxExperience confirms that we remain engaged in a constructive and ongoing dialogue with our employees and their union representatives.
"Our fundamental priority is to ensure we operate as a fair employer, providing a comprehensive remuneration package. While no final decisions have been reached regarding the ongoing vote, we are fully committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to reach a positive, sustainable resolution for our teams and the company."
