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Eiffel Tower reopens after workers' strike

December 18, 2016

France's most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, has resumed operations after its 300-strong workforce settled a row with the management. Up to 20,000 people per day visit the tower during the holiday season.

https://p.dw.com/p/2UTmw
Frankreich Eiffelturm wegen Streiks weiter geschlossen
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/M. Euler

The company that manages the Eiffel Tower, SETE, announced that the site would resume work on Sunday after a five-day strike.

"Numerous visitors, in Paris for end-of-year celebrations, will thus be able to experience a visit to the Eiffel Tower, discover its fabulous view over Paris and enjoy its famous ice skating rink on the first floor," the company said in a statement.

More than 300 people are involved in running and maintaining the tower's day-to-day operations. The workers started the strike on Tuesday, accusing the management of a lack of transparency and closed decision-making. Specifically, the workers were worried about a major maintenance job which would include stripping the 117-year old structure of paint and applying a fresh coat.

The unions claim the job would pose a health risk because of lead in old paint chips. On Sunday, the French CGT union said that unions and the management were to sign a memorandum of understanding, without providing details.

Some 8,000 people might visit the landmark on a normal weekday, but the number sometimes surges to 20,000 near Christmas.

dj/tj (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)