GMB Union has criticised Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), which manages the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, after workers rejected a below-inflation cost of living increase.
Around 1,000 staff work across the two sites, which between them attract roughly 3.6 million visitors a year.
Employees have been subjected to years of sub-inflationary cost of living increases, in addition to reduced headcounts, recruitment freezes, role changes, increased workloads, and the removal of allowances and bonuses.
A GMB member working for Historic Royal Palaces said:
“My rent and service charges have risen by 4.3% this year alone, diesel is pushing £2 a litre, and the cost of living has been climbing for years.
"Since the layoffs during Covid, my role has become significantly more demanding, yet in real terms my pay has gone backwards.
"I’m working harder than ever and still struggling to cover basic bills.
"I care about my job and take pride in working for HRP, but the reality is I simply can’t afford to live on what I’m paid.”
Matthew Wright, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
"Our members do important work showcasing history and heritage, but the irony of working to preserve our nation's treasures while being offered a royally low pay is not lost on them.
"They have endured years of doing more for less and they are not prepared to accept it any longer.
"We are urging Historic Royal Palaces to reconsider this towering insult of a pay offer and give our members a decent uplift to keep pace with the ballooning cost of living."
