The city of Paris “has never failed in its duty of support” to the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (Sete), Anne Hidalgo's first deputy, Emmanuel Grégoire (PS), confidently declared on Wednesday.
Statements far from convincing the CGT and FO unions of Sete who confirmed the fourth day of strike by the site's employees and therefore the extension of its closure to the public this Thursday, February 22.
As since Monday and during another social movement in December 2023, the Eiffel Tower strikers denounce the poor financial management of the site by the City of Paris, 99% shareholder of the monument managed as a public service delegation by Sete, and its “untenable” economic model.
They also point out the deterioration of the building due to ineffective and too rare painting campaigns as well as the exponential increase in fees.
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The Eiffel Tower on strike: “We’re going to take a photo and go home!”
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Until now, the union organizations have criticized the municipality for its outright refusal to negotiate and receive them.
Remaining silent since the start of the social movement, the town hall finally broke its silence on Wednesday February 21.
Emmanuel Grégoire thus defended the positions of the city of Paris on the France Info channel and certified that it was indeed “listening to the demands and concerns that are emerging”.
“We are going to get out of this situation, we trust the operating company to dialogue with employees and resolve concerns,” continued the elected official.
“Very heavy investments”
Regarding the increase in the fee, the town planning assistant made it clear that it was an “amount which was negotiated and signed in 2017 and which, currently, is in the process of being be reviewed.
The Eiffel Tower is managed outsourced, but it is managed by a company belonging to the City of Paris.”
Concerning the state of deterioration of the building, the First Deputy refuted any negligence.
“The Eiffel Tower is a jewel of the city, which is the subject of very heavy investment.
We hear everything and anything.
This monument is in very good condition,” said the elected official.
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Concerning the much criticized painting campaign in progress (the twentieth since the creation of the Eiffel Tower), Emmanuel Grégoire recalled that it was a “monument not easy to renovate and complex in its design” in addition to be on an occupied site.
While the Paris town hall still does not wish to receive the unions according to information from BFMTV, Emmanuel Grégoire assured him that the municipality was “listening to the demands and concerns that are emerging”.