Mark Whitehead 19 May 2023

Tower Bridge could close due to pay strike

Tower Bridge could close due to pay strike image
Image: alberto cervantes / Shutterstock.com.

Several major London tourist attractions could be forced to close after members of the GMB union voted to strike.

More than 900 City of London Corporation workers will walk out for 24 hours on 25 May in a dispute over pay.

Tourist spots including Tower Bridge, the Barbican, museums, gardens, parks and markets could all be hit after the workers voted to go on strike by a majority of 77%.

However, the corporation said it had already offered all full-time employees at least £2,300 extra which would address the challenges they face while ensuring a balanced budget.

It said providing the ‘inflation-matching pay increase demanded by the unions’ would result in cuts to services, including a considerable number of redundancies.

Anna Lee, GMB London region organiser, said: ‘This vote and support for strike action confirms how strongly our members feel and how this cost-of-living crisis is having such a devastating impact on them and their families.

‘This “them and us” culture within the Corporation of London has to end.

‘It is not OK for workers to be using foodbanks whilst Corporation bosses spend thousands of pounds of taxpayer's money on hospitality – while telling staff there's no money for pay.

‘Our members do not take this action lightly, but our demands for fair pay have been falling on deaf ears for months.

‘No one wants to go on strike but our members feel they are not being listened to, now they feel they have no alternative.

‘GMB calls on the City of London Corporation to properly value and respect their staff and return to the negotiating table.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Transport and Major Work Manager

Slough Borough Council
£54,556 to £60,085 per year Inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance of £1096
Drive the future of transport and infrastructure in Slough Slough, Berkshire
Recuriter: Slough Borough Council

Restorative Justice Practitioner

Essex County Council
£26284.00 - £33256.00 per annum + pension
Restorative Justice PractitionerPermanent, Full Time£26,284 up to £33,256 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Events Administrator - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £14.8800 per hour
Events Administrator - Harlow District CouncilHarlow District CouncilTemporary, Full Time£14.88 ph PAYELocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - South Essex (Various Teams)

Essex County Council
£38487 - £51834 per annum
We're an adult social care service that wants to see citizens of Essex have as much choice and control over the way they live their lives as possible England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Autism Training Coodinator

Essex County Council
£48121.0000 - £56612.0000 per annum
Autism Training CoodinatorFixed Term, Full Time£48,121 to £56,612 Per Annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner