A strike by GMB members working as Beefeaters and other staff for Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace has been suspended after the employer presented a new offer regarding an ongoing pension dispute.
HRP had planned to close Beefeaters’ final salary pension scheme but have since put forward a new offer which will will be put to members this week. If the offer is rejected by GMB members then strike action will go ahead on Tuesday 22 January as planned.
Last month members working at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace voted overwhelmingly to support strike action with a result of 91 per cent after a turnout of 88 per cent. This was after HRP decided to close employees’ final salary pensions and replace it with an inferior pension despite promises made to them at the time of privatisation.
GMB Regional Organiser Michael Ainsley says:”Our members have always said they are willing to negotiate before going ahead with any strike action. We will put this new offer to our members this week, however if they are not satisfied we will go ahead with the strike next Tuesday.”
