Gardeners at The Royal Parks in London are set to go on strike over pay after voting 95% in favor of the action with a 75% turnout. The workers, who are employed by sub-contractor Idverde, are seeking higher wages and view a proposed 70p per hour increase as "an insult". They currently earn £14.80 an hour plus 55p above the London Living Wage, but claim this is being treated as a maximum rather than a minimum. The strike vote was taken by skilled gardeners and team leaders at eight Royal Parks in London.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Gardeners employed by Idverde at eight *Royal Parks* in London, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Regent's Park-Primrose Hill, have voted to strike over a proposed pay rise of 70p an hour. The union, GMB, claims that this offer is "an insult" considering the workers currently earn *55p* above the London Living Wage of £14.80 per hour. Skilled gardeners and team leaders are seeking fair compensation for their work in maintaining London's parks. A spokesperson for the Royal Parks said pay negotiations are a matter between Idverde and its employees, but GMB regional organiser Anna Lee accused Idverde of undervaluing workers' skills and experience. The strike is expected to affect the maintenance of these popular public spaces.
Written for “London Garden Strike” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
No quote from the article could be verified for this score. The
model gave a number without evidence that survives checking, so
there is nothing here for you to read against the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 884 (low confidence, 0 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
- Published
Gardeners at The Royal Parks in London have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, their union has said.
asserted
union → publish → pay
The workers, who are employed by sub-contractor Idverde, will strike over a proposed pay rise of 70p an hour for skilled gardeners and team leaders, which GMB union said was "an insult".
asserted
union → employ → gardeners
A Royal Parks spokesperson said pay was a matter for Idverde, adding: "We recognise that this is a matter of concern for those involved and hope that a constructive resolution can be reached."
asserted
resolution → say → those
Idverde has been contacted for comment.
asserted
Idverde → contact → comment
Skilled gardeners and team leaders at The Royal Parks are currently paid 55p an hour above the London Living Wage, external, currently set at £14.80, the union said.
asserted
union → pay → 14.80
GMB accused contractor Idverde of failing to recognise and value the workers' skills and experience, and of treating the London Living Wage as a maximum rather than a minimum.
asserted
GMB → accuse → maximum
Anna Lee, its regional organiser, said: "Our members create and maintain these amazing spaces and to be offered 70p [extra per hour] is just an insult.
"
asserted
offered → say → hour
They are skilled, experienced professionals and they know what their labour is worth.
asserted
labour → know → ?
We're calling on Idverde to get back round the table and offer our members a fair pay deal."
asserted
We → call → deal
The voting recieved a 75% turnout and 95% voted in favour of strike action.
asserted
% → recieve → action
