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.’

Four-day working win image

Four-day working win

Cllr Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambs DC, reflects on the results of the council’s four-day week trial and calls on Labour to back the shorter week.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Fitness Instructor, Full-Time (Teddington)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting salary £24,684pa
Fitness Inst... Teddington
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Economy

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£95,050 - £105,438 plus relocation package
This is an unrivalled career opportunity for an ambitious and experienced leader at a pivotal point in our history. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Legal (Monitoring Officer)

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£73,755-82,065 plus relocation package
This is an unrivalled career opportunity for an ambitious and experienced leader at a pivotal point in our history. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Programme Administrator / Business Support - London Borough of Culture Team

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£32,955 - 39,933 per annum

Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Executive Assistant - London Borough of Culture Team

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£32,955 - £42,525 per annum

Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.