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National Museum Wales: 35 jobs go, another 160 affected | National Museum Wales: 35 jobs go, another 160 affected |
(about 4 hours later) | |
About 35 permanent jobs are to go as part of restructuring at the National Museum Wales (NMW). | About 35 permanent jobs are to go as part of restructuring at the National Museum Wales (NMW). |
A further 160 posts will be affected among the 650 museum staff. | A further 160 posts will be affected among the 650 museum staff. |
The museum says the current financial climate posed unprecedented challenges for every public sector organisation in Wales and the museum was no exception. | The museum says the current financial climate posed unprecedented challenges for every public sector organisation in Wales and the museum was no exception. |
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said the announcement will cause anxiety among staff and among all those who use the museum's services. | The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said the announcement will cause anxiety among staff and among all those who use the museum's services. |
The museum has faced a reduced budget and must find £2.5m in savings over three years. | The museum has faced a reduced budget and must find £2.5m in savings over three years. |
It said it hoped to avoid compulsory redundancies by offering redeployment and schemes such as voluntary redundancy and early retirement. | It said it hoped to avoid compulsory redundancies by offering redeployment and schemes such as voluntary redundancy and early retirement. |
It said the proposed changes would not affect the day-to-day operations of the seven national museums across Wales, and the consultation process would include staff, key partners and trade unions. | It said the proposed changes would not affect the day-to-day operations of the seven national museums across Wales, and the consultation process would include staff, key partners and trade unions. |
The proposals will have an impact on most areas of the museum although the main changes will be to the collections and research and learning, exhibitions and new media divisions. | The proposals will have an impact on most areas of the museum although the main changes will be to the collections and research and learning, exhibitions and new media divisions. |
Last year, NMW claimed its best visitor figures since it introduced free entry in 2001, with a total of 1.69m visits in 2011-12. | Last year, NMW claimed its best visitor figures since it introduced free entry in 2001, with a total of 1.69m visits in 2011-12. |
The museums affected are: National Museum of Wales in Cathays Park, Cardiff; National History Museum, St Fagan's, Cardiff; Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenavon, Torfaen; National Wool Museum, near Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire; National Roman Legion Museum at Caerleon, Newport; National Slate Museum at Llanberis, Gwynedd; and National Waterfront Museum Swansea. | |
The PCS said it was "upset and disappointed at the news, and concerned about the loss of expertise and the effect on Wales". | The PCS said it was "upset and disappointed at the news, and concerned about the loss of expertise and the effect on Wales". |
Neil Harrison, PCS branch secretary at the National Museum, said Monday's announcement will cause "anxiety" among staff and those who use the museum's services. | |
"While we acknowledge that management are seeking to avoid compulsory redundancies, no absolute commitment has been given. | |
"In addition, the loss of 35 permanent posts represents a significant loss in terms of the commitment and expertise of the staff involved and will prove challenging if the museum is to maintain current service levels." | |
He added that PCS and sister unions will "engage fully in the consultation" to protect jobs and conditions of service. | He added that PCS and sister unions will "engage fully in the consultation" to protect jobs and conditions of service. |
"The fact that the museum has been driven to undertake such significant and unsettling changes, at a time when its success has been demonstrated by rising visitor numbers, demonstrates the irrationality of the UK government's cuts programme." | "The fact that the museum has been driven to undertake such significant and unsettling changes, at a time when its success has been demonstrated by rising visitor numbers, demonstrates the irrationality of the UK government's cuts programme." |