Press Releases
Press statement by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
Date:
2015-08-14“Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’ negotiations with the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union via ACAS on the future of Premium Payments, amongst other issues, are ongoing.
"We are still hopeful of reaching an agreement on this this issue and are therefore disappointed to have been notified of PCS’ intention to continue to undertake industrial action during the process of mediation, which will affect our national museums as follows:
Wednesday 19 August 2015 - National Slate Museum will be closed.
Wednesday 19 August 2015 - National Museum Cardiff will be open but some
galleries may be closed.
Thursday 20 August 2015 - National Wool Museum will be closed.
Thursday 20 August 2015 - National Waterfront Museum will be closed.
Thursday 20 August 2015 - St Fagans National History Museum will be
open but some buildings may be closed.
Saturday 22 August 2015 - Big Pit National Coal Museum will be closed.
Sunday 23 August 2015 - Big Pit National Coal Museum will be closed.
Saturday 29 August 2015 - Big Pit National Coal Museum, National
Waterfront Museum, National Slate Museum and National Wool Museum will be closed.
National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National History Museum will be open but some galleries or buildings may be closed.
National Roman Legion Museum will be open as normal.
Sunday 30 August 2015 - Big Pit National Coal Museum will be closed.
Monday 31 August 2015 - Big Pit National Coal Museum will be closed.
“Several of our Museums will remain open for visitors, but we would urge anyone travelling to our sites to check our website for the latest information before doing so.
“We have presented PCS with an improved offer, which is currently being considered by the Union. It is the best we can offer within the financial resources available to us, which have been cut by over 20% in recent years.
“Our new offer includes an additional £300 per person affected, on top of the compensatory payments already proposed, which are worth on average £3,600. We have also said that we will increase their basic pay by 6% rather than 4%. Those on the lowest grade will be given the option of accepting the compensatory payment or receive protection from any financial losses for five years. We will also pay at least the Living Wage of £7.85 an hour to all our staff.
“Like most other public sector organisations, we are operating within a reduced budget and are being forced to plan for even more cuts. Therefore, we have no choice but to review Premium Payments that currently cost the organisation around £800,000 a year.
“Our staff are very important to us and we remain committed to protecting jobs as much as possible within the resources available to us. No compulsory redundancies are planned as part of this proposal and we are not currently considering outsourcing our services.”