Glasgow museums shut as staff begin five days of strike action

Some of the most popular attractions in Glasgow are shut as staff take part in five days of strike action in a dispute over cuts to jobs and services.

Members of Unison in Glasgow Life’s Glasgow Museums and Collections team are taking part in the industrial action.

The strike is impacting Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.

Unison say Glasgow Life, a Glasgow City Council organisation, is facing 38 job cuts with the museums and collections section facing a 30% cut in posts.

It was revealed earlier this year that dozens of jobs will be lost in an attempt to save £1.5m in the museums and collections section run by Glasgow Life.

The cuts will mean the change of displays and the frequency of temporary exhibitions at the museums won’t be as regular.

Unions had also warned the loss of skilled staff could threaten the international reputation of the museums, and during Thursday’s full council meeting.

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Trade union members are set to walk out in five days of strike action over plans to slash jobs across Glasgow’s museums. #stvnews #scottishnews #museums
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Brian Smith, Unison Glasgow Secretary, said: “Our members remain in a hugely difficult position, despite some changes to the job cuts proposal by Glasgow Life at the eleventh hour. But it was too little, too late.

“These workers are taking a stand to defend both themselves and the city’s world class museums. They deserve support.

“Unison calls on Glasgow City Council’s political leaders to intervene and provide the funding required to resolve this dispute”.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “Due to strike action by Unison, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Glasgow Museums Resource Centre will be closed to the public today.

“We will post further updates on our website and social media channels, and our museums will reopen as normal on Saturday October 28. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”