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Windsor Castle staff to hold ballot on industrial action Windsor Castle staff to hold ballot on industrial action
(35 minutes later)
The Queen is facing the prospect of the first ever industrial action by members of the royal household.The Queen is facing the prospect of the first ever industrial action by members of the royal household.
More than 100 low-paid staff at Windsor Castle are due be balloted from Tuesday the Public and Commercial Services union said. More than 100 low-paid staff at Windsor Castle are due be balloted from Tuesday, the Public and Commercial Services union said.
It claims staff have suffered years of pay restraint and are currently paid less than the living wage. PCS said new recruits at the castle start on as little as £14,400 a year. It claims staff have suffered years of pay restraint and are paid less than the living wage. PCS said new recruits at the castle start on as little as £14,400 a year.
The union, which represents 120 of the 200 staff at the castle, have proposed non-strike action which would involve the withdraw of goodwill such as giving tours of the castle to paying visitors of the castle. The union, which represents 120 of the 200 staff at the castle, has proposed non-strike action that would involve the withdraw of goodwill, such as giving tours of the castle to paying visitors of the castle.
The dispute concerns the payment of allowances for additional duties. Last year the staff accepted an “unsatisfactory pay offer” on the understanding that additional allowances for such duties would be considered this year. When these were refused the union opted to ballot staff on industrial action. The vote closes on 14 April. The dispute concerns the payment of allowances for additional duties. Last year, the staff accepted an “unsatisfactory pay offer” on the understanding that additional allowances for such duties would be considered this year. When these were refused the union opted to ballot staff on industrial action. The vote closes on 14 April.
If they vote in favour, industrial action would start before the end of April in the week before the general election. If staff vote in favour, industrial action would start before the end of April in the week before the general election.
The ballot was announced on the day that David Cameron is due to have an audience with the Queen to formally request the dissolution of parliament.The ballot was announced on the day that David Cameron is due to have an audience with the Queen to formally request the dissolution of parliament.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “These workers are loyal to their employer and absolutely committed to ensuring visitors are given the royal treatment. The PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: “These workers are loyal to their employer and absolutely committed to ensuring visitors are given the royal treatment.
“It is scandalous that staff are so appallingly paid and expected to do work for free that brings in money for the royal family.” It is scandalous that staff are so appallingly paid and expected to do work for free that brings in money for the royal family.”
A PCS spokesman said it was “coincidental” that the ballot was being held at the start of general election campaign. But he said the timing was “nonetheless welcome if it helps to put some added focus on how badly paid royal household staff are.”A PCS spokesman said it was “coincidental” that the ballot was being held at the start of general election campaign. But he said the timing was “nonetheless welcome if it helps to put some added focus on how badly paid royal household staff are.”
The royal household has yet to respond to the forthcoming ballot and was unavailable for comment.The royal household has yet to respond to the forthcoming ballot and was unavailable for comment.