National Gallery staff to strike for five days over privatization and wage dispute
From February 3 to 7, 2015, 250 National Gallery staff in London will strike for five days, opposing the institution's plan to privatize visitor services. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) organized the action, also criticizing the gallery for not implementing the London living wage, which other major London museums and galleries have adopted. The National Gallery cited government funding cuts as necessitating modernization and greater flexibility to boost revenue from events and commercial activities. It assured that transferred staff would have protected terms, conditions, and interests with no job losses. During the strike, the gallery expects to remain open, but all education events will be canceled. The strike was reported by BBC News on January 30, 2015.
Key facts
- 250 staff at the National Gallery in London will strike from February 3 to 7, 2015
- The strike opposes privatization of visitor services and lack of London living wage
- The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) represents the striking workers
- The National Gallery cites government funding cuts as reason for modernization
- The gallery promises no job losses and protected terms for transferred staff
- All education events will be canceled during the strike
- The gallery expects to remain open throughout the strike
- Other major London museums and galleries have adopted the London living wage
Entities
Institutions
- National Gallery
- Public and Commercial Services union (PCS)
- BBC News
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom