Eiffel Tower Shuts Down Amid Union Workers Protest Demanding Higher Pay
The Eiffel Tower, expected to be a landmark for celebrations during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is out of service for the third day in a row due to a worker's strike.
The tower has been off-limits to visitors since the workers shut down the building, with the union saying they're unsure when business will resume as usual.
Denis Vavassori of the CGT union spoke as a representative of the strikers, warning that the protest "could go on for several days, even weeks." He claims members collectively agreed to extend the strike on Tuesday.
According to the union, employees are willing to protest until demands are met, however, they are looking forward to reaching an agreement with the Paris municipality and monument's owner before the Olympics.
The website is currently updated with an announcement to visitors, saying the opening of the Eiffel Tower could be disrupted on Feb. 22 and to check the website before traveling.
"Visitors with e-tickets for today are invited to check their email," the prompt states.
According to HuffPost, employees are demanding a salary increase proportional to revenue from ticket sales. They're also asking that the building improve maintenance, which is showing traces of rust on some of its iron structure.
In the past union leaders have been vocal about the tower's business tactics, expressing that the model is based on an inflated estimate of visitors at the expense of maintenance cost and employee pay.
Despite tourists being turned away due to the current strike, the historic landmark is typically open 365 days a year.
