Windsor Castle staff set to strike for the first time in history

Low-paid staff at Windsor Castle are poised to take industrial action over low pay for the first time in history. Over 100 members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) are to be balloted on action over unpaid extra duties.

The PCS said many are expected to go beyond their remit for no extra pay by voluntarily leading guided tours, administering first aid, or translating for non-English speaking visitors. Wardens are paid £7.70 an hour or an annual salary of £14,400 for a 36-hour week, which is below the living wage.

A PCS spokesman said “Workers are being paid really poor wages despite working for the country’s richest family. A large proportion of staff have chosen to work at the Castle because they feel they are working the Queen and for the Royal Family. Their employers should not take advantage of that and abuse their goodwill by not properly rewarding them.”