More October 2006

You are in > Archives » Headlines » October 2006

October 2006

October 19th 2006

London's National Gallery closed by striking workers

With the exception of the Velázquez exhibition, all galleries at London’s National Gallery were closed on 18th October, as warders took a day’s strike action in protest at attempts to cut their holiday entitlement. The 140 workers who took part in the action are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

Although their job is guarding old masters, the warders are new apprentices in the art of industrial action.  This is the first dispute involving a strike in the 200-year history of the National Gallery.

Staff are angry about management's plans to impose changes to contracts including withdrawing the three days holiday they receive in exchange for working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day and replacing this with two days unpaid leave.

The warders, who protect one of the finest collections of paintings in the world and help to bring in the estimated £15 billion which London earns each year from its ‘visitor economy’, are paid as little as £13,562 per year, with many on a basic rate of pay of  just over £6 an hour.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said:

"The disruption caused by today's action is regrettable, however we believe this demonstrates the bitterness staff feel at plans to withdraw their holiday entitlements during the Christmas period.

"Our members taking action are some of the lowest paid in the culture sector and we call on management to negotiate meaningfully with them to reach an agreement and put a stop to future action."

The one-day strike followed a previous two hour walkout on 11 July.  Further walkouts are planned for every Wednesday from 6pm - 9pm.