Gardeners employed by contractor Idverde at The Royal Parks in London have voted overwhelmingly for strike action after rejecting a pay offer their union has branded an insult. The GMB union reported a 75% turnout in the ballot, with 95% of those voting backing industrial action over a proposed rise of 70p an hour for skilled gardeners and team leaders.
The Royal Parks estate spans eight sites across the capital: Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park-Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.
Why are the gardeners unhappy with the pay offer?
Skilled gardeners and team leaders currently earn 55p an hour above the London Living Wage, which stands at £14.80. GMB argues that Idverde is treating that living wage figure as a ceiling rather than a floor, and that the proposed 70p increase fails to reflect the skill and experience of the workforce.
Our members create and maintain these amazing spaces and to be offered 70p [extra per hour] is just an insult. They are skilled, experienced professionals and they know what their labour is worth. We're calling on Idverde to get back round the table and offer our members a fair pay deal.
The comments came from GMB regional organiser Anna Lee.
Which parks and how many workers are affected?
Around 60 gardeners were included in the formal strike ballot, according to a report by Third Sector, which said the dispute centres on staff at Kensington Gardens, St James's Park, Hyde Park and Brompton Cemetery. The same report noted that an earlier consultative ballot had already recorded 85% support for industrial action before the formal vote took place. GMB has said the current offer would leave only a 55p-an-hour gap between skilled gardeners and staff paid the London Living Wage, a difference the union regards as too narrow to reflect workers' training and experience.
What has The Royal Parks and Idverde said?
A spokesperson for The Royal Parks said responsibility for pay rested with the sub-contractor.
We recognise that this is a matter of concern for those involved and hope that a constructive resolution can be reached.
According to Third Sector, The Royal Parks has separately said employment terms are a matter for Idverde and that it is not party to those arrangements. Idverde has been approached for comment on both the original dispute and the ballot result.
Has this kind of dispute happened before?
This is not the first pay conflict involving Idverde and The Royal Parks. In March 2024, gardeners at Regent's Park accepted revised pay rates after striking over being paid less than colleagues at other Royal Parks sites, according to information published by the Greater London Authority. GMB describes the latest dispute as part of a longer-running pattern of tension over outsourcing and pay at the parks.
What happens next?
GMB said gardeners began voting in the formal strike ballot on 13 August 2026, with the ballot due to close on 14 August 2026. No confirmed strike dates had emerged from the union's coverage at the time of reporting, meaning the next significant step will be the formal declaration of the ballot result.
Key Facts
- 95% of gardeners voted for strike action on a 75% turnout, GMB said.
- The dispute concerns a proposed 70p-an-hour pay rise for skilled gardeners and team leaders.
- Around 60 gardeners were balloted, covering Kensington Gardens, St James's Park, Hyde Park and Brompton Cemetery.
- An earlier consultative ballot recorded 85% support for industrial action.
- The formal strike ballot was due to close on 14 August 2026.
