In a historic moment for the UK’s hospitality sector, Radisson Blu housekeepers and Draughts bar staff will take joint strike action on Saturday 9 August 2025, marking England’s first hotel workers’ walkout since 1979.
The coordinated strike, involving staff represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, shines a spotlight on the deep-rooted issues of outsourcing, low pay and job insecurity in the sector.
Housekeepers at the Radisson Blu in Canary Wharf, predominantly Nepali migrant women, are striking against what they call punishing conditions imposed by outsourcing firm WGC.
Since WGC took over the hotel’s cleaning contract, contracted hours have been slashed from 40 to just 16 per week, while daily cleaning quotas have soared from 14 to 24 rooms—on £13 per hour, well below the London Living Wage of £13.85.
“We need the security of knowing we’ll have enough hours tomorrow, so we can live with dignity and care for our families,” said Doris, a deputy head housekeeper with over a decade at the hotel.
“When I was told my hours would be cut from 40 to 16, I was shocked. After 30 years of service, it felt like everything was being taken away.”
Fellow housekeeper Rupa, who has worked at the hotel for over 15 years, said: “It is very difficult to pay for everything now. I can’t manage my mortgage. This is very unfair—we want our hours back.”
The workers are demanding reinstatement of their 40-hour contracts and a raise to the London Living Wage.
Bar staff at Draughts, the popular board games café and restaurant in London, will also walk out in protest over zero-hour contracts, unpaid training, and unsafe working conditions.
Workers say shifts are cancelled at the last minute, incomes are unstable, and the removal of table service in favour of QR code ordering has reduced their earnings. They are also calling for licensed security staff during evening shifts.
“We want to be heard and treated with respect,” said Pearl, a Draughts staff member. “It’s upsetting that it’s come to this, but we won’t back down.”
“This strike is a momentous occasion,” added Brune, also at Draughts. “Hospitality jobs can be better—now is the time for our employer to hear that and stop hiding behind excuses.”
Petros Elia, general secretary of UVW, called the strike “a historic turning point” and urged the broader trade union movement to rally in support.
“This fight goes beyond pay. It’s a stand against a system that exploits migrant workers, women, and workers of colour—those who keep the industry running while being treated as disposable,” he said.
“Low pay and insecurity aren’t inevitable—they’re political choices. But that system is beginning to crack, and it’s low-paid, migrant, and precarious workers leading the charge.”
The UVW is calling for solidarity across the labour movement, saying this strike sends a message to every outsourced and precarious worker in the country: “If they can fight, so can everyone.”