Tower of London Yeomen set to strike in row over pensions

BEEFEATERS at the Tower of London could go on strike for the first time in 55 years.

Yeomen Warders, who safeguard the Crown Jewels, are up in arms about pension changes.

Other tower workers plus staff at Kensington and Hampton Court Palaces, London, are also to be balloted over strikes, amid plans to close a defined benefit scheme to future accruals.

GMB union’s Mick Ainsley said the Historic Royal Palaces charity, which manages the sites, has gone back on promises made when the scheme closed to new members in 2002.

He said HRP was “jumping on the bandwagon as other companies end good defined benefit schemes, preferring to let the taxpayer pick up the shortfall”. He added: “Staff feel betrayed.”

Around 121 will be balloted. Beefeaters, on £30,000 to £40,000, last walked out in 1963, for an extra 25 shillings a week.

HRP said the scheme was “financially unsustainable” and 11% of its staff were affected by change, adding: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly.” SCHEME A Beefeater at tower