The Queen 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% voting for action short of a strike, on a turnout of 82%, the Public and Commercial Services union said. The action could start from the end of April.
The PCS claims staff have suffered years of pay restraint and are paid less than the living wage, with new recruits starting on as little as £14,400 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, helping visitors and protecting artworks.
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 PCS 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.
Before the ballot, Windsor Castle said it did not anticipate disruption to visitors. It said staff were paid above the market rate for Windsor, and received additional perks including a free lunch. It said staff could volunteer to lead guided tours but were not compelled to do so.
The Royal Collection Trust said the industrial action would have no effect on visitors to the castle. A spokesperson said: “Following the union ballot we have been informed that some PCS-affiliated wardens at Windsor Castle will no longer participate in various activities undertaken during their working day, including using their language and first-aid skills, and conducting tours of specific areas of the castle during August and September.
“These activities have never been compulsory; it has always been the choice of the individual as to whether they take part. While the outcome of the ballot is disappointing, it will have no effect on services to visitors to the castle.
“Royal Collection Trust has since last year been exploring ways to achieve an agreed level of pay for all warden staff. Conversations that are part of the annual pay review process are still ongoing and an offer to expand the salary scale for a warden, starting at the regional living wage of £14,695 for new joiners (based upon an average 36-hour working week), has been put to PCS and other unions.”
