Butlin’s safety officers in Bognor Regis strike over Bank Holiday
Employees demand better working conditions
Last updated 28th Aug 2026
Resort Safety Officers at Butlin’s Bognor Regis are striking over the Bank Holiday weekend, with further walkouts planned throughout September unless a resolution is reached.
Confirmed strike dates are 28th to 30th August, 4th to 7th September, and 10th to 15th September, with continuous action slated to begin on 21st September.
The officers are seeking urgent talks with Butlin’s CEO Jon Hendry Pickup and their union, United Voices of the World (UVW), to address concerns over staffing, equipment, pay, and working conditions.
Workers voted 100% in favour of the strike, citing chronic understaffing, faulty equipment, wage deductions believed to be unlawful, and inadequate breaks during night shifts as key issues.
Resort Safety Officers handle critical incidents at the resort, including responding to violence, lost children, and medical emergencies.
Alan Riley, a Resort Safety Officer at Butlin's, conveyed the urgency of the situation: “We have repeatedly raised concerns about staffing, equipment and working conditions that make our jobs harder and less safe."
The workers' demands include hiring five additional permanent Resort Safety Officers, reliable equipment, management changes, paid night-shift breaks, repayment of what they claim are unfair wage deductions, a pay rise to £14 an hour, voluntary recognition of UVW, and the reinstatement of a colleague believed to be unfairly dismissed.
Fire safety concerns have also been on the agenda, with specific issues only beginning to be addressed after workers unionised.
It comes as Butlin's celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Max, another Resort Safety Officer, said they are open to negotiations: “We are now asking Jon Hendry Pickup to meet with us and our union, listen to our concerns, and negotiate a solution."
A Butlin’s spokesperson said: “Guests do not need to change their holiday plans as our breaks will go ahead as normal. We have robust arrangements in place for the 19 Resort Safety team members who backed strike action, within a resort workforce of more than 1,000 people.
The safety of our guests and our team is our top priority, and we reject any claim that a Butlin’s resort is unsafe.
“We strongly refute the suggestion that Butlin’s only began addressing fire safety matters following UVW’s intervention. This work forms part of an ongoing, long-established programme.”