Eiffel Tower closes again because the staff is on a longer strike: Union

The Eiffel Tower, a top global tourist attraction, will remain closed for a second consecutive day on Tuesday due to an extended strike by staff protesting the monument's financial management, according to a union representative.

The strike, initiated on Monday, is a response to concerns about the financial management of the iconic landmark. The tower's operator, SETE, announced disruptions to visits on Tuesday and advised ticket holders to check the website for updates or consider postponing their visit. E-ticket holders were instructed to check their emails for additional information.

This marks the second strike at the Eiffel Tower in two months, both driven by concerns over SETE's business model, criticized by unions for allegedly relying on inflated future visitor estimates while underestimating construction costs.

The Eiffel Tower, attracting nearly seven million visitors annually, faced a decline in numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, rebounding to 5.9 million in 2022. Visitor figures are anticipated to rise this summer as Paris hosts the Olympic Games.

In a joint statement, the CGT and FO unions called on the city of Paris to negotiate reasonably on financial matters to ensure the monument and its operating company's survival. Alexandre Leborgne, a representative for the CGT union, stated that city hall, the majority owner, is currently unwilling to negotiate. A worker assembly will confirm the strike extension in a vote on Tuesday, as called for by the CGT and FO unions.