Edinburgh Galleries Face More August Closures During Strike Action
Visitors to Edinburgh’s National Galleries face three more days of closures this month, with strike action planned for 12, 16, and 20 August.
The National, Modern, Portrait, and Royal Scottish Academy buildings will all be affected by further industrial action involving members of the PCS union.
The first strike day took place on Saturday 8 August. Further walkouts are scheduled for Wednesday 12 August, Sunday 16 August, and Thursday 20 August, right in the middle of Edinburgh’s festival season.
Why Are National Galleries Staff Striking?
The dispute centres on changes to working practices for Gallery Attendants in the Security and Visitor Experience team.
PCS says new minimum staffing arrangements raise health and safety concerns and could make it harder to maintain normal staffing across gallery rooms. The union also argues that the changes could lead to more room or floor closures and says staff were not properly consulted.
National Galleries of Scotland disputes that picture. It says staffing in the Security and Visitor Engagement team has increased by 16% compared with recent averages, no employees have lost their jobs, and five vacant positions were left unfilled through its normal vacancy-management process.
Which Galleries Will Close?
The main closure dates still to come are:
| Date | What’s affected |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 12 August | National, Modern, Portrait, and Royal Scottish Academy closed |
| Sunday 16 August | National, Modern, upper floors of Portrait, and Royal Scottish Academy closed |
| Thursday 20 August | National, Modern, Portrait, and Royal Scottish Academy closed |
On Sunday 16 August, the Tea Green Summer Market at the Portrait gallery is expected to continue, with its café and shop open while the upper gallery floors remain closed.
The grounds and car parks at Modern One and Modern Two are expected to remain accessible during the strike dates.
August Exhibitions Will Be Affected
The closures come during a busy month for the galleries.
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen opened at the Royal Scottish Academy on 8 August and runs until 1 November. The exhibition includes nearly 80 portraits and is Opie’s first solo exhibition in Scotland.
Modern Two is also hosting Gwen John: Strange Beauties, while Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror continues at the Portrait gallery. National Galleries normally opens its main Edinburgh venues daily from 10am to 5pm.
Anyone planning a gallery visit this month should check the National Galleries of Scotland website before travelling, particularly on 12, 16, and 20 August.