Around 60 gardeners working at several Royal Parks sites in London are being balloted for strike action over a pay dispute.
The ballot organised by trade union GMB opened this week and will run until 14 August following a dispute with the Royal Parks charity’s sub-contractor, Idverde, which employs the gardeners.
According to GMB, experienced gardeners and team leaders were offered a 70p an hour pay rise, which GMB said in a statement “will see a significant narrowing of the gap” between these senior workers and those on the voluntary London living wage.
Anna Lee, GMB regional organiser, said: “These staff are responsible for ensuring the parks remain valuable and beloved open spaces for the public to enjoy.
“Our members are highly experienced and qualified gardeners, who deserve a fair uplift that reflects the value of their skillset. The difference between these higher paid workers and those on London living wage is 55p.
“London living wage should be seen as starting point for salaries, but by failing to maintain a fair pay differential, Idverde is treating it more like a ceiling.”
The Royal Parks charity and Idverde have been approached for comment.
NGS workers to strike
Separately, workers at the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) are due to strike during the Edinburgh Fringe, after members of the PCS Union voted for action over changes to working practices for gallery attendants.
The gallery staff in the security and visitor experience team raised concerns over new minimum staffing level requirements, stating there would be serious health and safety concerns, and threats to the quality of experience for visitors.
According to PCS, the NGS failed to consult with it over these changes and has justified its actions under the Scottish government's public service reform strategy.
PCS Scotland national officer Ruby Gibson said: “This ballot result is a clear message to NGS management that our members will not allow damaging changes to be imposed upon them.”
In response, an NGS spokesperson said: “Staffing levels in our security and visitor engagement team have increased by 16% compared to 2023-24 and 2025-26 averages.
“Working practices and operations remain the same under the structure agreed following PCS consultation in 2023.
“We chose not to fill five vacant positions in line with our longstanding organisational approach to vacancy management. No one has lost their jobs and service delivery is unaffected.
“Our operational requirements remain dynamic and we will shortly be joined by 52 new colleagues for our summer exhibitions.”
