'Threatening staff' | Harrods could be first firm to use controversial agency staff law to end strikes

Harrods is preparing to use agency workers to replace staff who could go on strike – which would make them the first major firm to take advantage of controversial new laws.

According to the Unite union, the iconic luxury outlet sent a letter to staff ahead of an industrial action ballot, with approximately 150 staff set to vote over what the union calls a “pay cut disguised as a rise”.

United said staff had rejected an initial five per cent 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 reportedly wrote to security staff offering them a seven per cent pay rise to bring their below-average wages up to industry standards.

The strike ballot was announced in response to this offer.