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Strikes by Eiffel Tower workers anger tourists
If you've headed to Paris for the Easter holidays, chances are you've left the city's most famous tourist attraction rather frustrated.Workers for the company that runs the Eiffel Tower have been on strike for two days now, complaining over stalled pay increases. As a result, the tower was essentially closed Wednesday and Thursday. Negotiations with union workers was ongoing today, but the tower remained closed Friday morning.
Around 300 workers completely blocked the Eiffel from tourists on Wednesday. Yesterday, after more protests in the morning, one of the tower's four pillars briefly opened to visitors before security workers shut it down again. Tourists were left in line for hours without any indication whether they'd get a chance to go up.
Basically, the workers' beef is that while the price of going up the Eiffel Tower has increased this year (tickets now run roughly $18), their salaries have not gone up. Security workers and ticket takers are demanding pay increases and bonuses.
About 18,000 tourists per day visited the Eiffel Tower last year.
Gallery: France: The Eiffel Tower
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig Apr 10th 2009 11:38PM
they're french....what do you expect. I know what THEY expect.....little work...lots of benefits...free govt. handouts....hey sounds just like the liberals in america
StevenX` Apr 11th 2009 1:35AM
Start saving for a new record, idiot, that one's broken.
Mike Apr 11th 2009 12:19AM
Craig! reality check....the Tour Eiffle is a genuwine wonder..you would love it...And I promise you, one look at Paris from the top would make even you love France..it did me
Mike
chris Apr 11th 2009 1:21AM
Craig seems like the typical republican hayseed, who only cares about pleasing the management under their desk and doesnt have a spine and never stood up for himself. Craig lets himself be brainwashed by the management and the rich of this country into thinking that they are god and that reagular workers doesnt deserve do make a decent living with decent benefits for their families. Dont you care about your families well being craig, or do you care more about what the republicans instill into your pea brain??? Unions made the middle class and the middle class made this nation strong, not the brainwashed hicks who only worry about cheap shotguns, and cheap booze. Go ahead Craig believe what the elite republican party spoon feeds you, im sure you been dumb your whole life, no need to start thinking on your own now bubba!!!!
craig Apr 11th 2009 1:44AM
"you been dumb" and you call me a hayseed...lol.
actually i AM the boss. The reason is I have respect for myself and did what it takes to become the boss. Not lay down for some union boss..being relegated to a number on a seniority list. time for you "workers" to step up to the plate, take responsibility for your own actions...or inaction and quit expecting everyone else to carry your load
pthomp Apr 11th 2009 2:58AM
Craig, I guess Chris is right....you did bump your head under the desk a few times on your way up . Actually, what the unions and workers should be demanding is cuts from the top down in management. It's getting harder for the workers to get more or even make a living with all the corruption in government. Craig, you need to understand, as the boss you're not worth the jug you pee in !!! The consumer has never depended on management to make the wheels turn. And you have no choice but to admit that you'd be homeless if not for the middle class worker. Believe me, that wall is coming close and you will not avoid the crash of management !!!!
Dee Apr 11th 2009 3:01AM
Chris, you're the one that needs to think for yourself. Try starting your own company. It takes risk and a lot more than 40 hours a week. If you can finally start making a profit and can hire some people, now you're considered rich. Here comes the Union to parasite off of what you worked so hard for. Here comes the Democrats to say you're not paying your " fair share". Unions create and protect laziness. They are highly inefficient and make the company their parasting off of highly inefficient. When you are the one that has to meet payroll along with trying to stay competetive and make a profit, you'll see things differently. Unions are their own worst enemy. Just look at GM and Chrysler. I could never understand paying someone to keep my job for me. I can very well do that on my own.
Unions did not create the middle class, small businesses did.
Conserveitall Apr 11th 2009 4:19AM
Unions don't care about America or Americans. All they care about is themselves, making money, getting benefits that others don't have (through extortion, threat's, and interference in free trade) and then get angry when the $10.00/hr laborer won't "buy American"... which means Union Made... so the Union Worker can keep his/her job at a higher pay and standard of living. Today's Unions are just high priced Corporations; in it for the money and power. Why should I, or any other non-union worker, take the money I make and give it in you. I can't afford to buy "Union."
Kenny Bloch Apr 11th 2009 6:18AM
People like Craig own their businessbecause they can't find a decent paying job with beneifits.