Tate workers stage wage protest

Contract workers say the minimum wage does not reflect London living

Cleaners and caterers took over the main hall of the Tate Modern gallery as part of a pay protest.

Contract workers at the south London gallery say their wage does not cover the true cost of living in the capital.

Led by the South London Citizens group, dozens of protesters linked hands and sang in its turbine hall on Friday.

A Tate spokesman said: "Tate ensures all its contractors must comply with the statutory requirement to provide at least the national minimum wage."

Contract workers at the gallery currently receive the national minimum wage of £5.52 per hour.

They want this increased to £7.20 per hour, which is known as the London Living Wage - a wage level suggested by mayor Ken Livingstone to reflect the extra cost of living in the capital.

South London Citizens spokesman Michael Faulkner said: "Everyone recognises that living in London is more expensive than living anywhere else.

"We believe that the Tate as a major and very successful employer ought to be recognising their responsibilities to make sure that all their employees are properly remunerated for the work that they do."