The grassroots union UVW‘s campaign for Harrods staff to keep their tips has already attracted a fair bit of media attention, ranging from Skint London and Buzzfeed to the Daily Mail and the Singaporean press. This weekend will see the first real public step in the campaign, as UVW are calling on people to join them outside Harrods from 2pm onwards on Saturday 7th January. In their words:

“Taking any percentage of the service charge, which customers think is going to the waiters, is unacceptable. Taking up to 75% is an utter disgrace.

Furthermore, Harrods refuses to disclose what their exact percentage is.

Since UVW, which represents the chefs and waiters at Harrods, threatened to engage in a robust campaign of direct and industrial action until 100% of the service charge goes to the staff, Harrods has promised to increase the share going to staff.

Whilst a pay rise for nearly 500 workers is always welcome, especially at Christmas time, the chefs and waiters deserve 100% of the service charge and we must fight until that they ae given 100%!“