Housekeepers at London hotel to strike over pay and guaranteed hours

Housekeepers at Radisson Blu Canary Wharf in London are set to walk out at the end of this week in the first hotel workers’ strike in England in 46 years.

Independent trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) said housekeepers at the hotel are working in “unsustainable” conditions that have deteriorated ever since outsourcing company WGC took over the cleaning contract.

The union claims contracted hours have been slashed from 40 hours to as few as 16 hours per week, while daily room quotas have nearly doubled from 14 to 24.

Workers are also currently paid £13 per hour, which is above National Minimum Wage (£12.21 per hour) but under the London Living Wage (£13.85 per hour), according to UVW.

The Radisson Blu housekeepers plan to walk out on 9 August as they demand a return to 40 guaranteed hours per week and the London Living Wage.

It would mark the first housekeepers’ strike in England 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.

The housekeepers will be joined by staff at London boardgame café business Draughts Bar, who are striking to demand fixed-hour contracts, paid training, a return to table service and evening on-site security.

The strikes were confirmed to take place after 100% of workers who are also UVW members at both workplaces voted in favour of strike action.

Petros Elia, general secretary at UVW, said: “This strike is a historic turning point—hotel housekeepers, alongside bar staff, are taking collective action for the first time in over 46 years. They’re standing up to poverty wages, zero hour contracts, excessive workloads, and the deep-rooted precarity that defines much of the hospitality industry. 

“This strike draws a clear line: no more second-class treatment. These workers will organise, strike, and win. And they’re calling on the wider trade union movement to rise with them—if they can fight, so can everyone.”

A spokesperson for Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East said: "Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East is aware of the strike due to take place at the property.

"The hotel outsources housekeeping services to WGC. As the housekeeping team are employees of WGC, all employee obligations and negotiations lie with WGC. Therefore, Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East cannot provide further comment. For any additional enquiries, please contact WGC directly.

"We have taken measures to ensure any impact on hotel guests and services is minimal and expect to be able to continue normal operations."

Draughts Bar has also been contacted for comment.