Paris, France – The iconic Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris, stands silent. Not due to its usual evening grandeur, but because of a strike by its staff. The towering landmark, usually bustling with tourists, is eerily empty.
The strike, which began on Thursday, July 14th, 2018, was a direct response to changes in ticketing policies that have caused growing frustration among both employees and visitors.
Frustration From Both Sides: Staff and Tourists Alike
The dispute centers around a new policy that sets aside half of the tower’s daily tickets for online pre-bookings. This means visitors who buy tickets online in advance, choosing a specific time slot for their visit, are guaranteed entry. This has left many walk-in visitors waiting for hours, sometimes even missing their planned visit altogether.
Yunhyie Park, a tourist from South Korea, arrived to find the tower closed, her hopes of seeing the Eiffel Tower dashed. “Yesterday we saw (about the strike) and we hoped it wasn’t true, but finally, it’s true,” she said. “It’s really a shame.”
Hector, a visitor from Mexico, arrived with his family, only to be met with closed elevator doors after a two and a half hour wait. “We’ve been here for two and a half hours, waiting for nothing,” he said. “We will take a look for tomorrow, but we will need to buy another ticket.”
The situation highlights the frustrations experienced by both staff and tourists. Staff members are upset by the long queues and the increased workload, while tourists are left disappointed by the disruption and missed opportunities.
A Clash of Perspectives: Management vs. Staff
The Eiffel Tower management claims the new policy is necessary to manage the increasing number of visitors. They argue that the online booking system helps to regulate the flow of people, resulting in shorter waiting times for everyone.
However, the CGT union, representing the tower’s employees, argues that the policy has created an imbalance, with online bookers having preferential access to the elevators. They also point out that the reserved elevators are often only half full, while long lines of walk-in visitors wait for hours.
The union, speaking for its members, demands that all elevators be made available to all visitors, regardless of their ticket type.
A History of Discontent: Ongoing Issues at the Tower
This is not the first time the Eiffel Tower has faced a strike by its staff. In recent years, the tower has been hit by repeated strikes over various issues, from pickpocketing to maintenance work.
This current dispute highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the management of the iconic landmark in balancing the needs of its staff, its visitors, and its own financial stability.
Ultimately, the Eiffel Tower strike serves as a reminder that even iconic landmarks are not immune to the realities of human conflict and the challenges of managing change.
