Windsor Castle staff vote to work to rule in pay dispute

Queen Elizabeth is to face industrial action by members of the royal household for the first time after staff at Windsor Castle voted for work to rule in a row over pay.

Low-paid staff at the castle were balloted in a dispute about leading guided tours, with 84 per cent voting for action short of a strike, on a turnout of 82 per cent, the Public and Commercial Services union said. The action could start from the end of this month.

The union claims staff have suffered years of pay restraint and are paid less than the living wage, with recruits starting on as little as £14,400 (€20,000) a year.

The 76 wardens involved are employed by the Royal Collection Trust, the charitable arm of the royal household, working at the castle entrance, around the grounds and inside.

The union said the staff narrowly accepted an unsatisfactory pay offer last year on the understanding that additional allowances for paid-for tours and other skills such as translating would be considered this year. The non-strike action will include the withdrawal of goodwill.

The union’s general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: “These loyal workers are the public face of Windsor Castle and with this vote their message to their employer is loud and clear. Staff should be properly rewarded for their commitment to ensuring visitors from around the world can fully enjoy their time at the castle.”

The union represents 120 staff at Windsor Castle and balloted 76 of these as they are the wardens called on to carry out extra duties. Other non-balloted staff include ticketing and retail workers.

– (Guardian service)