CLEANERS and concierge workers at a luxury residential development in London announced yesterday that they will walk out for 12 days over the festive period.

Staff at the West End Quay (WEQ) development in Paddington — where flats sell for millions — are set to go on strike from December 19, marking a fifth wave of industrial action over the enforcement of a “Scrooge-style” pay freeze.

Their union, United Voices of the World (UVW), says the dispute began when bosses failed to award a pay rise, instead favouring a discretionary performance-related pay scheme. 

They say bosses have reneged on an Acas-brokered agreement and imposed a year-long pay freeze on low-paid, non-managerial staff. 

The union has also accused bosses of attempting to tie in conditions to the deal that would require them to give up their collective bargaining rights and trying to impose a new contract, which would allow employers to unilaterally change hours, pay and impose mandatory overtime.

Concierge Francesco Lombardo said: “None of us wants to spend Christmas on strike, but management has left us no choice. 

“They froze our pay; they denied all the staff a pay rise for this year and walked back agreements we had reached and brought in agency staff during our strikes at a cost far higher than what we earn.” 

A West End Quay statement said: “Over the past 12 months we have engaged constructively in formal negotiations, including Acas-mediated talks where a two-year pay deal for 2025 and 2026 was agreed in principle. The union subsequently withdrew from that position.

“WEQ then accepted the union’s proposals for 2026, including a pay rise, an annual bonus and increased holiday and sick pay benefits. Despite this, the union has chosen to proceed with strike action.”