100 signatures reached
To: Idverde and The Royal Parks
The Royal Parks gardeners say: "Let our pay grow!"
The Royal Parks outsource maintenance to subcontractor Idverde. This allows The Royal Parks to avoid any liability for employee’s pay, terms, and conditions. The Royal Parks can mandate better conditions for their subcontracted staff. They choose not to.
Since April this year, skilled gardeners are only paid 35p above London Living Wage (LLW), which undermines the years of training needed for this role. The Royal Parks pay Idverde for the yearly LLW increase, but this isn’t passed on to the team.
Idverde offered just a 1.8 per cent increase for skilled gardeners and refused to engage with our union's calls for sick pay. Only after 95 per cent of union members voted YES to industrial action, Idverde offered to match this year’s LLW increase. This is the minimum they should offer.
We are asking for The Royal Parks to take responsibility and enforce fair wage tiers and sick pay. The Royal Parks should lead by example when it comes to fair employment standards.
Why is this important?
Gardeners are the heart of The Royal Parks. We use our considerable skills, knowledge, and experience to keep these spaces looking beautiful for millions of visitors every year.
We deserve to be paid a decent wage for our hard work. Fair pay and basic dignity is the best way to protect the future of the parks we all love.
We deserve to be paid a decent wage for our hard work. Fair pay and basic dignity is the best way to protect the future of the parks we all love.