Royal Parks gardeners dig in as strike enters third week

Gardeners at the Royal Parks have started a third week of strike action over their pay dispute, and held a protest at Downing Street.

Downing Street backs on to St James's Park, one of the parks that the gardeners landscape and maintain.

Dozens of gardeners, who are represented by GMB Union, voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action after they were offered a pay rise amounting to just 70p an hour.

They are employed by contractor Idverde to look after the capital's most prestigious parks, including Hyde Park, Brompton Cemetery, and Kensington Gardens.

Anna Lee, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

"Our members are out for a third week to fight for a fair pay deal.

"The offer on the table from Idverde doesn't reflect their skills and experience, and it doesn't keep pace with the soaring cost of living.

"They love their work, creating and maintaining London's world-class parks, but they will not back down until they get the pay rise they deserve."