Staff at a major regional tourist destination have spoken of feeling targeted as disputes intensify regarding planned changes to their terms of employment.
On Wednesday, GMB union officials working for the Brighton and Hove Museums Trust took part in further strikes in response to what they describe as severe alterations to working conditions.
Protesters assembled outside the Royal Pavilion, holding placards and chanting slogans.
The union stated that management gave workers until April 1 to agree to revised employment contracts.
The staff moved from Brighton and Hove City Council in 2020 but retained their local government employment rights, including pay levels, annual leave and other contractual safeguards.
The union cautioned that the proposed agreements would endanger these protections, and workers say they received insufficient warning about the changes.
Striking staff protested outside the Royal Pavilion on April 15 (Photo: The Argus)
The trust has indicated it faces mounting financial pressures alongside cuts to public funding.
The trust’s representative said that modifications to employment terms were necessary to address these challenges and that they believe them to be justified.
Workers also took industrial action on April 4.
Before this latest strike, which caused Brighton Museum and Art Gallery to close, the trust said that under the new contracts, staff would continue to receive access to a range of important benefits including holiday pay, maternity and paternity leave, sickness payments and salary enhancements. Some adjustments to these benefits have been made but they are minimal. Pension provisions remain unchanged. The trust expressed willingness to engage in dialogue and expressed disappointment that GMB had not yet agreed to take part in any constructive discussions.
Workers say they would have preferred not to take industrial action as they enjoy their work but the trust has offered no alternative solution.
They have called on Brighton and Hove City Council to take stronger steps and become involved.
Terrence Ryder, who has worked at the museums for 23 years, revealed that many coworkers have been depending on a foodbank set up by colleagues.
Staff want to keep their existing contracts which offer security.
Mr Ryder, who is 65, said they were not asking for more money. He said they were asking for what they had always received. He said the employer intended to remove that. He said they simply wanted to keep their contracts.
The visitor services worker added that the employer claimed they would not implement certain changes but there was nothing documented to protect them from that happening. He said he had worked there for 23 years and had seen many situations but this was the most distressing.
Raymond Tinney said he was given assurances that employment conditions would stay the same when the museums transferred from the council to the trust.
He highlighted the commitment of the workforce.
He said Visit England carries out an annual confidential survey and staff received an excellent rating. He said they were praised for being knowledgeable and approachable. Yet they found themselves under attack. He said they were doing their jobs, they were improving the visitor experience and management was attacking the successful part of their organisation. He said it was shameful.
Terrence Ryder and Raymond Tinney (Photo: The Argus)
The 60-year-old noted that despite the financial difficulties facing the trust, staff had provided management with suggestions for increasing income and drawing more visitors.
Mr Tinney said they were not concentrating on improving their commercial strategy.
He believes the trust is unwilling to engage in negotiation.
He said according to the union’s record of Monday’s meeting, the trust was not making any ground. He said there was no sign of willingness to find common ground or make concessions. He said they were ready to show flexibility.
He added that they felt deeply connected to the Royal Pavilion and museums. He said they wanted to give visitors the best possible experience and they were delivering that. He said the trust should focus on generating more income from renting out spaces and securing new business clients. He said rather than clinging to an outdated approach, they had provided suggestions.
Workers say increasing admission charges are putting people off visiting.
Mr Tinney said constantly raising prices was not a viable way to run the business. He said they stood at the entrance and watched people walk away when they saw the cost.
Declan MacIntyre, GMB regional organiser, who joined members on the picket line, said it was unfortunate they found themselves in this situation given that the trust had every chance to resolve the employment issues.
He described the action as good-natured and polite with workers interacting with visitors and continuing to share information about the attractions and city.
He said those with decision-making power at the trust needed to engage properly with the union on behalf of their members, and trustees should speak directly to members. He said members were very prepared to meet with them and discuss their worries about how the trust was running things. He said the lack of any real consultation about the changes, and the fact that staff were told this week there would be a pay review without any discussion, was concerning. He said it seemed the trust was preparing for an extended dispute with employees. He said they needed council leadership. He said they wanted them to step in as major partners. He said they needed to take charge of the situation to resolve this disagreement. He said they were more than prepared to take part in talks. He said they were genuinely sorry for the disruption to residents and visitors to this wonderful city. He said unfortunately they had been left with no other option.