Walkout by 300 workers closes Eiffel Tower for second straight day

PARIS, June 26 (UPI) -- The Eiffel Tower was closed for a second straight day Wednesday after 300 staff members walked out, protesting working conditions and low pay, employees said.

Officials announced the closure of the popular attraction on its website and Facebook pages, thanking tourists for their understanding.

Protesting workers complained about mismanagement and the amount of time it has taken for repairs to be completed, the London Evening Standard reported.

In 2008, an elevator on the west side of the tower underwent renovations, which remain unfinished, the newspaper said.

"Queues and overcrowding are the result. Meanwhile, we have to deal with huge groups of unhappy people," an employee said.

"Yes, visitors are going to be frustrated that they can't visit the tower, but a strike is our only way of making ourselves heard."

A spokesman for CGT, the biggest union behind the strike, said more walkouts are planned if necessary.

Nearly 30,000 tourists visit the Eiffel Tower daily and 7 million visit in a year.