Harrods workers in strike threat

Mohamed al Fayed has been criticised for offering staff a 3.5% pay rise

Staff at Harrods could go on strike in a row over days off and pay, union leaders have revealed.

It comes after Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed gave two extra days' leave to shop floor staff but not drivers, warehouse and maintenance workers.

The Unite union said its members were furious when they discovered they were excluded from the deal.

A spokesman for the department store said a strike would not stop the shop from opening.

"It will be inconvenient but it won't jeopardise the running of the business," the spokesman said.

'Shop elsewhere'

Staff are also angry at the 3.5% pay rise they have been offered.

Unite now plans to ballot 275 essential workers to ask if they want to take strike action.

Unite regional officer Debbie McSweeney said: "If this strike goes ahead the rich and famous might have to find somewhere else to do their shopping.

"Our members keep Harrods running, they ensure the lights stay on, the building operates safely and shoppers can get about the store.

"It is difficult to imagine how the shop could function properly without them."

The ballot for industrial action begins on August 4 and closes on August 18.