Tower Bridge and other London tourist attractions hit by strikes | British News
More than 900 tourist attraction workers across London are resigning today over a wage dispute.
Members of the City of London Corporation’s GMB union are on strike for 24 hours after voting overwhelmingly for industrial action.
Pickets will be set up outside a number of tourist attractions and other popular venues on Thursday.
Locations include the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, the Old Bailey, the London Metropolitan Archives and Smithfield Market.
The company says the union’s wage demands will result in benefit cuts and layoffs.
Anna Lee, GMB regional organizer London, said: “These people work in one of the wealthiest places in the world.”
“All they are asking is a decent raise to cover living expenses.”
“It’s scandalous that they have to close major tourist attractions just to make their voices heard by the bosses of the City of London Corporation, but it’s come to that.”
“GMB calls on the City of London Corporation to properly value and respect its employees and return to the negotiating table.”
Other picket locations include the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the City of London School for Girls and the London Port Health Authority.
A spokesman for the City of London Corporation said: “Our 2022-23 salary bonus gave all full-time staff at least an additional £2,300.”
“In our view, the challenges faced by employees have been addressed in the fairest manner while ensuring that we are meeting our legal obligation to provide a balanced budget.”
“We know how difficult it is for many people in the current economic climate and our one-off £1,000 winter payment awarded in October was real, practical support for all our staff to help them navigate the cost of living crisis.”
“This amount has now been confirmed as being consolidated into base pay for the 2023-24 period.”
“Last year’s minimum wage increase meant our lowest-paid employees – those who were hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis – received a rise of over 12%.”
“The inflation-matched wage increase demanded by the unions would lead to significant cuts in services, including a significant number of layoffs.”
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