This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32942584
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| National Gallery staff stage Trafalgar Square rally | National Gallery staff stage Trafalgar Square rally |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A rally is being held in Trafalgar Square against plans to privatise the National Gallery. | A rally is being held in Trafalgar Square against plans to privatise the National Gallery. |
| Hundreds of members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are in the middle of a ten-day strike, which affected the half-term holiday. | Hundreds of members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are in the middle of a ten-day strike, which affected the half-term holiday. |
| There have been 24 days of strikes since February, but the current action is the longest so far. | There have been 24 days of strikes since February, but the current action is the longest so far. |
| Film maker Ken Loach is due to speak at the rally, as well as British artist Bob and Roberta Smith. | Film maker Ken Loach is due to speak at the rally, as well as British artist Bob and Roberta Smith. |
| The PCS said the action was against plans to privatise 400 visitor services roles and the dismissal of union rep Candy Udwin, who was accused of sharing information about the use of a private security firm. | The PCS said the action was against plans to privatise 400 visitor services roles and the dismissal of union rep Candy Udwin, who was accused of sharing information about the use of a private security firm. |
| More than 21,000 people have added their names to a statement calling for Ms Udwin to be reinstated and artists Grayson Perry, Mark Wallinger, Ryan Gander and Peter Kennard have signed a separate letter calling for a halt to privatisation plans, according to the union. | More than 21,000 people have added their names to a statement calling for Ms Udwin to be reinstated and artists Grayson Perry, Mark Wallinger, Ryan Gander and Peter Kennard have signed a separate letter calling for a halt to privatisation plans, according to the union. |
| Comedian Kate Smurthwaite, Ms Udwin and PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka will also be speaking at the rally. | Comedian Kate Smurthwaite, Ms Udwin and PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka will also be speaking at the rally. |
| In a statement the union said: "The sell-off would be a first for any major gallery or museum in the country." | In a statement the union said: "The sell-off would be a first for any major gallery or museum in the country." |
| The gallery, where government aid makes up nearly three quarters of its funding, says privatisation plans would enable it to introduce a new roster to "operate more flexibly". | |
| It also said it "proposed not only to meet the London Living Wage, but to pay a basic salary in excess of it" and said there would be no job cuts. | It also said it "proposed not only to meet the London Living Wage, but to pay a basic salary in excess of it" and said there would be no job cuts. |
| With regards to the dismissal of Ms Udwin, the gallery, which is owned and operated by the National Gallery Trust, said it did not comment on individual disciplinary cases. | |
| The latest strike started on 26 May and is due to end on 4 June. | The latest strike started on 26 May and is due to end on 4 June. |