Queen is facing pay strike at Windsor
STAFF at Windsor Castle are threatening to go on strike over pay, it emerged yesterday.
Around 120 out of the 200 staff who look after visitors at the Queen’s favourite residence are to be balloted on action over unpaid extra duties.
These include giving tours, providing first aid and acting as interpreters for foreign tourists.
If they vote in favour of action on April 14, the members of the Public and Commercial Services union plan to stop providing extra services from the end of April.
It will be the first time castle staff have taken part in industrial action which is not part of a national dispute.
Scandalous
They claim that in return for accepting an unsatisfactory pay offer last year they were promised additional allowances this year. But they say the Royal Collection Trust, which manages the castle and charges tourists for some of the services, has reneged on the deal.
Prince Charles is chairman of the trust, which last year made a surplus of £ 8.3million on income of £ 54.9million.
Mark Serwotka, the PCS general secretary, said: “It is scandalous that staff are so appallingly paid and expected to do work for free that brings in money for the Royal Family.”
However, a spokeswoman for the trust said the extra duties were voluntary.
She said: “These are not compulsory aspects of their role.
“It is the choice of the individual if they wish to take part.”