Arrests made at Harrods tipping protest
Demonstrators set off smoke bombs outside Harrods on Saturday during protests against the tipping policy at the department store.
Two people were arrested at the protest which was organised by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union. It claims that Harrods retains up to 75% of the service charge collected at the 16 cafes and restaurants in the Knightsbridge store.
Business was disrupted as the protesters blocked doorways. During the protest a man was arrested on suspicion of setting off a flare and a woman was arrested in suspicion of criminal damage.
The protests were organised by the UVW union which calculates that the service charge system employed by Harrods reduces the pay owed to each of the 483 kitchen and waiting staff by up to £5,000 a year.
A Harrods spokeswoman told the Guardian: "Harrods currently employs over 450 employees in its 16 restaurants, all of whom are paid fairly and above national living wage. Harrods regularly revisits its policies to ensure that we best serve our employees and has been taking steps over recent months to review and improve the current system through which it distributes its service charge."
The business is now reviewing how it operates the tronc system, and considering allowing staff to sit on the panel operating it.
Harrods attacked over service charge policy >>
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