Five-day strike shutters Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower remained closed on Saturday, five days into a labor strike over management's vision for the future and strategic investment plans. The landmark's operator apologized once again to the thousands of disappointed tourists who have been turned away from the wrought iron lattice structure on the Champ de Mars by the River Seine.

The CGT and FO workers' unions are fighting for the 300-strong workforce to have a seat at the table where decisions are made about funding. They say the employees have a right to make their voices heard where health and safety is concerned.

CGT and the landmark's management company, "Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel" (SETE), have held a series of meetings over the past few days, but to no avail. The strike comes at a particularly hard time for the French capital, which is trying to revive flagging tourism after last year's terror attacks.

This is the third such stoppage this past year, and France's strict labor laws give union employees ample room to air their grievances.

"We have the feeling that the new management doesn't want to provide the resources needed to maintain the Eiffel Tower," a representative for the CGT told French news agency AFP.

In the run-up to Christmas, the tower can usually expect up to 20,000 visitors a day.

es/jm (AP, AFP, dpa)