In June 2019, the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) demanded exclusive Mayfair club, 5 Hertford Street, ensure its kitchen porters are paid living wage, and that their conditions be maintained, after being outsourced to ACT Clean. It was revealed that the kitchen porters were threatened with dismissal if they did not sign the contract, resulting in 5 workers resigning. Nineteen of the workers joined the IWGB, who have protested outside the club, demanding living wage and fair working conditions.

Kitchen porters were found earning £8.65 an hour, working up to 48-hours a week, receiving 20-minute unpaid lunch breaks, and not being paid overtime. Workers also lacked occupational sick pay, and a clause in their contract forbid them from talking to the media without permission. Wages were increased to £9 after pressure, however this 35p increase was deemed insignificant.

In August 2019, the union launched a petition, after kitchen porters reported some workers had been suspended following the protests. 

Comments from ACT Clean and 5 Hertford Street can be seen in the articles below.