Visitors gather at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, which is closed due to a strike on June 25, 2013 in Paris, France.<\/p>\n
The Eiffel Tower in Paris has remained closed for a second day due to a strike by workers demanding better security conditions as well as higher pay.\n<\/p>\n
The General Confederation of Labor Union (CGT) called the strike after unsuccessful talks were held on Monday and Tuesday.\n<\/p>\n
“The waiting lines are growing longer, the visitors are growing more and more impatient and the work conditions are deteriorating,” a CGT statement said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Employees say there are insufficient facilities to welcome the up to 30,000 visitors daily and the overcrowding poses a security risk and undermines their working conditions.\n<\/p>\n
“It took them two years to build (the Eiffel Tower), and now it’s taking more than five years for one lift,” said one annoyed employee.\n<\/p>\n
The strike by some 300 workers at the tower is the first since a two-day closure in December 2010.\n<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, visitors to the tower were angered that French authorities had not informed about the strike and closure.\n<\/p>\n
“It’s disappointing spending this much money to come here and you can’t come to the one landmark people probably come here to see most,” said tourist Jamie McNulty.\n<\/p>\n
Built in 1889, the tower is usually open year around except for some occasional closures due to suicide or bomb threats as well as strikes.\n<\/p>\n
CAH\/KA\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n