Windsor Castle employees are to go on strike for the first time in 900 years.
Wardens at the Berkshire residence of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth could be set to refuse to give tours to paying visitors after voting in favour of industrial action yesterday (15.04.15).
The action could start from the end of the month and would have a "significant impact" on visitors, the Public and Commercial Services Union has said.
The wardens – who are stationed at the entrance, in the grounds and inside the castle – are protesting against years of pay restraint that has seen them earn below the living wage of £7.85 an hour or £9.15 in London.
A deal was agreed last year on the grounds they would get additional allowances this year for the extra services they’ve been providing out of "good will" and the wardens insist their issue is with their employers rather than the Queen or her family.
One of the wardens told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "We’re all very loyal to the Queen and the royal family. We wouldn’t work here if we weren’t.
"We feel part of England’s heritage. Our gripe is with the managers who run the castle in their name and keep us on such low pay it’s almost impossible to have any decent standard of living. That’s why we’re taking action."
The wardens voted 84 per cent in favour of action short of a strike, which could be set to start from the end of April.
Windsor Castle employees to strike for first time in 900 years
