Members of the Royal Household are poised to take industrial action over pay for the first time in history , it was claimed last night . Wardens at Windsor Castle claim they receive poor salaries and perform extra duties for visitors for no additional money . Union officials say guides are paid terribly and have suffered years of ‘ wage restraint ’ despite working for the ‘ country ’ s richest family ’ . Wardens at Windsor Castle ( pictured here collecting flowers laid by well-wishers following the death of The Queen Mother ) claim they receive poor salaries and perform extra duties for visitors for no additional money . Wardens ’ main duties are to meet and greet visitors , tell them about the history of the Castle , and hand out free audio guides . But The Public and Commercial Services union ( PCS ) said many are asked to go above and beyond this for no extra pay , including leading paid-for guided tours at the Castle . Other workers administer first aid or speak to tourists in a foreign language without being paid extra , they said . Now , the PCS says workers could adopt ‘ work to rule ’ – industrial action where workers do no more than the minimum required by their contract – unless they receive a pay hike . They said wardens were on as little as £7.70 an hour , or £14,400 a year for a 36-hour week . This is below the Living Wage , a voluntary threshold for employers which rose to £7.85 in November , but significantly above the minimum wage of £6.50 an hour . Windsor Castle said wages will rise to the new Living Wage in April , but the PCS argue this should have happened last November . A spokesman for PCS said : ‘ Workers are being paid really poor wages despite working for the country ’ s richest family . Windsor Castle ( pictured ) said wages will rise to the new Living Wage in April , but the PCS argue this should have happened last November . ‘ A large proportion of staff have chosen to work at the Castle because they feel they are working the Queen and for the Royal Family . ‘ Their employers should not take advantage of that and abuse their goodwill by not properly rewarding them. ’ The wardens work for the Royal Collection Trust , a charity which presides over one of the world ’ s largest and most important works of art , jewels and artefacts . The Public and Commercial Services Union said the Queen and Royal Family should not 'abuse the ( workers ' ) goodwill by not properly rewarding them ' It is held in trust by the sovereign on behalf of the nation , and workers for the Collection are therefore employees of the Royal Household . Forty wardens out of 200 workers at Windsor Castle have been balloted on whether they want to take industrial action . While the union has ruled out a strike , staff may refuse to work overtime and conduct guided tours and insist on taking their full lunch breaks . If wardens vote for this , it would be the first time staff have ever done so over working conditions specific to a Royal Household , the PCS said . A spokeswoman for the Royal Collection Trust said workers undertook extra roles voluntarily and were under no obligation to do so . She said : ‘ Warden staff are offered voluntary opportunities to receive training and develop skills to lead guided tours for visitors as part of their working day and to administer first aid , as well as to use their language skills . ‘ These are not compulsory aspects of their role , and it is the choice of the individual whether they wish to take part. ’ They said staff received a range of benefits including a 15 per cent non-contributory pension and a free lunch . She added : ‘ Royal Collection Trust continues to award wardens an annual performance-related pay increase of up to 2.5 per cent , in addition to the cost of living increase , as well as one-off payments to those who have reached the top of their pay scale. ’ The Royal Collection said it did not anticipate any interruption to tours in the event of industrial action . The Royal Collection website says its wardens enhance visitors ’ experiences by ‘ interpreting the exhibits , buildings and works of art whilst maintaining visitors ’ safety and security ’ . It says : ‘ Whether you are greeting visitors at the start of their tour , carrying out security and baggage checks , or answering questions along the visitor route , you will be part of an impressive and unique experience . ’
Wardens reportedly prefer to travel above and beyond duty for no extra pay . Others speak to tourists in a foreign language for no extra pay , union says . tourists often adopt ‘ work to rule ’ – where they do no more than minimum required – unless they receive a hike . Pay is below voluntary Living Wage but significantly above minimum £ 6.50 .