National Gallery all-out strike goes on as bosses sell off jobs

Strikers at the National Gallery go all-out, August 2015, photo by Socialist Party

Strikers at the National Gallery go all-out, August 2015, photo by Socialist Party   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

James Ivens

The prolonged dispute at the National Gallery turned to indefinite strike on 11 August. Management has now signed guest services over to notorious outsourcers Securitas, showing total unwillingness to negotiate.

Incoming director Gabriele Finaldi will face daily picket lines from members of public service union PCS. Although bosses have now taken the unilateral decision to privatise, strikers are still confident they can win.

One major concern is that gallery assistants could be forced to work other Securitas contracts such as concert venues. Standard outsourcing attacks on pay and conditions could also come down on workers. And management still refuses to reinstate victimised union rep Candy Udwin.

Pickets have so far had good support from other trade unionists and members of the Socialist Party.

  • Please invite strikers to speak at your union branch: [email protected]
  • Send strike fund donations to sort code 08-60-01, account number 20169002
  • Cheques to PCS Culture Media and Sport Association, c/o PCS North West Region, Jack Jones House, 1 Islington, Liverpool L3 8EG