The Eiffel Tower Welcomes Visitors Again Following 6-day Closure Triggered by Employee Strike
The Eiffel Tower welcomed visitors back on Sunday after a six-day closure due to striking employees who were demanding better maintenance of the iconic landmark, which was showing signs of rust, as well as higher salaries.
The company that operates the 330-meter (1,083-foot) tower stated in a press release that they had come to an agreement with the worker unions after committing to invest a substantial 380 million euros (approximately $412 million) by 2031 for renovation projects. Salary negotiations were also initiated this week and are expected to be finalized next month, addressing the employees’ demands for a raise proportional to the revenue generated from ticket sales.
With the Eiffel Tower being a key feature of the upcoming Paris Games from July 26 to August 11, as well as the subsequent Paralympics, it holds a special significance. The medals for the Olympic and Paralympic events in Paris will contain fragments of iron from the historic landmark.
Typically open 365 days a year, the 135-year-old Eiffel Tower faced a total closure of 10 days last year during widespread protests in France against proposed changes to the pension system by the government.
