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Gallery staff mount alternative exhibition

14 November 2014

One of the eye-catching artworks from the gallery staff's exhibition.

Staff working at the National Gallery in London opened an exhibition of their own artwork last night as part of their continuing fight against privatisation. They want to challenge the view expressed by those who favour privatisation that staff needn’t be concerned because the paintings are “Not the crown jewels”.

The exhibition emphasises the knowledge of loyal gallery staff, their connection to the national collection, and to the gallery as an institution.  They are creative individuals with strong ideas, not just replaceable units to be sold off to the highest bidder.

The gallery previously  announced that up to two-thirds of gallery staff would be privatised. After immense public pressure, including 35,000 people signing a petition, the gallery agreed to suspend the privatisation proposals and to talks with the PCS trade union. These talks are ongoing.

But the gallery has also hired a private security firm to staff the current Rembrandt exhibition. The union says this is a pre-emptive strike-breaking measure, at an estimated cost of at least a quarter of a million pounds of public money.

“Not the Crown Jewels”, an exhibition presented by No Privatisation at the National Gallery & PCS Culture sector.

PCS Union Head office 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 2LN. (Nearest train: Clapham Junction from Waterloo and Victoria.)

The exhibition runs until 5 December, Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.

 

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