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

Chief Executive

Camden Learning
Competitive
Camden Learning is a pioneering schools-led partnership bringing together 57 schools. Camden, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Camden Learning

Key Worker - Young Carers

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £28621.0000 per annum
Key Worker - Young CarersFixed Term, Full Time£25,959 to £28,621 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,427 pro rata
Temporary from October 26 to August 27. Villa Real School is an all age 2 to 19 years Special School with pupils with SLD, PMLD and Autism. The Gove Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Facilitator

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £29,071 - £32,046
We are looking to appoint a temporary Care Facilitator to be responsible for negotiating and arranging appropriate packages of care for individual ser Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Practitioner Access to Records

Durham County Council
Grade 12 - £45,529 - £49,817
Are you an experienced social worker looking to make a difference in a different way? Do you want to use your professional expertise, judgement and u Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner