The Eiffel Tower in Paris is closed for the third day today due to a strike by workers at its management company (Sete), who criticize its financial management, the two unions representing the staff told AFP.

“We are determined and we have the impression that they are taking it lightly,” said FO union spokeswoman Nada Bjiuy, on the third day of a social dispute raging between management and the two unions, the CGT and FO.

“And I will be surprised if they are open tomorrow” Thursday, she added.

The dispute, which has already led to the closure of the “Iron Lady” (as the Tower is called) on December 27, the 100th anniversary of the death of the engineer who built the iconic Paris monument, is unfolding amid the winter school holidays and five months before the Olympic Games (July 26 – August 11) that the French capital will host.

yesterday tuesday negotiations broke off suddenly as the request of the two unions to obtain an interlocutor in the town hall, a supermajority shareholder (99%) of Sete, was not heard.

The representatives of around 360 workers at Pyrgos are also asking to be able to access the amendment to the public service contract which runs until 2030, the subject of their main grievance.

The amendment, which calls for a 20% increase in ticket prices, must be ratified in May by the Paris Council.

The two points of contention are the consideration Sete paid to the town hall and the works budget for the rest of the contract.