Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, speaking to National Gallery pickets, 3.2.15, photo Rob Williams

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, speaking to National Gallery pickets, 3.2.15, photo Rob Williams   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

National Gallery workers in the PCS union started their five day strike against privatisation on 3 February.

The London gallery plans to hand over all visitor services to a private company, part of bosses’ plans to privatise almost all staff. Private security firm CIS has already taken over one wing of the gallery without any competitive tender or consultation.

The tourist attraction has also gone back on a promise to introduce the London living wage of £9.15 an hour. It is now the only major museum or gallery in the capital that pays some staff below the rate.

The day before the strike, management suspended a senior rep on the negotiating team for sharing a document that showed privatisation costs with a full time union official. PCS thinks reps have a legitimate right to involve officials on a matter of strong public interest.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka spoke to the gallery’s picket by Trafalgar Square.