by Jo Sword

English Heritage workers, who are responsible for running 29 visitor attractions in Kent, are being balloted on whether to take industrial action in a row over pay.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) claims new proposals will divide staff into two classes and therefore lead to pay cuts.

It says the plan is to create two pay ranges called standard and premium. Those on premium would receive 10 per cent more than those on standard pay because their posts are deemed hard to recruit and retain.

Kent sites run by English Heritage include Dover Castle, Rochester Castle and Lullingtone Roman Villa.

In a statement English Heritage said it is "planning to modernise its pay system to improve career progression, try to ensure equal pay, introduce market-related pay for all staff and a minimum increase of two per cent for all employees in year one".

It added: "Our other union, Prospect, voted overwhelmingly to accept the offer. We don’t consider ourselves to be in dispute with the PCS union because talks are still ongoing. The vote on strike action is therefore premature."

However, Catherine Craig, PCS negotiations officer for English Heritage, said: "English Heritage is already recognised as a poor payer.

"Rather than raise pay rates to acceptable and fair levels across the board, the visitor operations staff are being asked to foot the bill for better pay rates for others.

"This is demoralising to hardworking staff who are being made to feel second-class despite them having delivered a first-class service."