More museums, libraries and art galleries across Glasgow face closure during a week of strike action.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Glasgow Museums Resource Centre shut on Monday while other museums face possible closures later this week Unison, the union representing the staff, says job losses could have a detrimental impact on precious items in the museum collection Glasgow Life, which runs Glasgow's museums, says they have to make savings because of the city council's budget deficit.
Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow was shut on Monday, while other city museums and galleries face possible closures later this week. Proposed cuts will affect 38 specialist roles like gallery curators and conservators - who protect items in the museums.Unison, the union representing staff on strike, warned that cutting the number of conservators could cause a "high-profile accident" and valuable collection pieces could be damaged."Deep cleaning of display venues by specialist Conservation staff will greatly reduce or completely disappear. "World-class textiles at the Burrell Collection, taxidermy specimens at Kelvingrove and other vulnerable organic objects will be at particular risk of pest damage without regular, vigilant cleaning by highly-trained specialists."The entire Glasgow museum collection is worth over £1.4bn, with millions of objects on display and in archives. Glasgow Life, an arms-length organisation which runs the city's art, leisure and culture sector, said it received 80% of its budget from Glasgow City Council.High-profile events Brian Smith, Unison Glasgow secretary, said: "These workers are taking a stand to defend both themselves and the city’s world class museums. They deserve support." Glasgow's museums have hosted high-profile events this year, like the Mary Quant fashion exhibition at Kelvingrove and Banksy’s Cut and Run exhibition."These are just some of the successes Glasgow Museums have delivered this year," Unison said. "The very staff that helped deliver these successes are now under threat of losing their jobs."Glasgow Life said senior museums officers had met Unison to discuss the impacts of the planned staff cuts within the museums service.Glasgow Life said: “We recognise how valued our museums and collections are to Glasgow’s communities and the city’s international profile, and we understand the concern any changes may cause. "Wherever possible, we have identified ways of making savings by reducing, rather than losing Glasgow Life services programmes, and events; retaining the potential to rebuild them in the future. "However, we have been saying for some time now that the savings we are making this year add up to around 9% of our annual service fee from the Council and ensure none of our facilities will have to close." Glasgow Life apologised for any inconvenience and said it would post further updates on closures on its website and social media channels.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Urgent call to keep Glasgow's homeless warm this winter launched by Human AppealSafestore are supporting the UK charity's initiative through accepting coat drop-offs at their branches from October 23 to November 25 - before distributing them to over 100 charities.
Read more »
The story of the 'jeweller' behind Glasgow's crime worldThe 'jeweller' behind Glasgow's criminal underworld
Read more »
Glasgow train staff reminisce on 40 years of ScotRailTwo Glasgow ScotRail staff reminisce as the firm marks 40 years.
Read more »
Glasgow Christmas light switch-on ballot for festive extravaganza ends todayGlasgow Loves Christmas have made one last push, calling for Glaswegians to enter the ballot before it closes at 11.59pm. The festive spectacle returns to the city centre next month.
Read more »
Glasgow restaurant to serve £1 lunch for one week onlyThis Glasgow restaurant is serving £1 lunch for one week only.
Read more »
Kelvingrove Museum closed amid strike action by Glasgow Life staff over job cutsGlasgow's museums are facing disruption this week as staff walk out over proposed job cuts. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has been closed to the public as a result.
Read more »