STAFF at the National Galleries of Scotland are set to walk out in August over “serious health and safety concerns” and the proposed closure of exhibitions.
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members – which represents staff at the galleries – recorded an 81% turnout in the ballot, with 80% of those who voted backing strike action over “major concerns” outlined by staff in the Security and Visitor Experience team, and what they call “detrimental changes” for gallery attendants.
Concerns raised include new minimum staffing level requirements, which the union claims raise serious health and safety concerns and diminish the quality of the visitor experience during the busy festival season and result in room and floor closures.
They have also accused the National Galleries of making opportunistic use of fixed-term contracts to reduce staff numbers and make minimum staffing – which sets a baseline for the minimum number of employees required to safely operate a facility or process – without consultation.
National Gallery of Scotland © 2025 Martin McAdam
The National Galleries have been accused of failing to consult staff on the proposed changes.
PCS members, however, see changes at the national galleries as part of a longer term programme of cuts across public services in Scotland.
The strikes, while not given explicit dates, are expected to take place in August, during Edinburgh’s peak festival season.
PCS Scotland national officer, Ruby Gibson said: “PCS members have voted for industrial action following senior management imposing changes to an agreed staffing model for front-of-house staff in Gallery Attendant roles.
“Citing budgetary pressures, management have used the expiration of fixed term contracts to reduce staffing numbers to make minimum resource the norm.
“Furthermore, NGS management are now citing Scottish Government documentation related to Ivan McKee’s Public Service Reform strategy as part of the reason why they don’t have to consult with trade unions.
“PCS’s position is that making minimum staffing the norm represents a change from the previously agreed staffing model and is therefore a matter for consultation.
“The changes present the potential for floor and room closures of exhibitions if they are short staffed and lone working or working out of the sight of other staff presents health and safety concerns.
The decision to impose these changes rather than consult with PCS demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the workforce and in turn, the workforce have shown their disappointment and frustration through their response in the ballot.
“Taking strike action is always the last resort but PCS members will not accept management’s repeated refusal to not consult over these detrimental changes.”
Strike dates have not yet been confirmed, but PCS members across all four galleries are expected to participate in August. The union warned of “significant disruption”.
The National Galleries of Scotland is an executive non-departmental public body which manages the three national galleries of Scotland and is primarily funded by the Scottish Government.
PCS is the largest civil service union and represents around 27,000 government workers across Scotland.
A spokesperson from the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Colleagues, visitors and the art in our care remain our top priorities.
“Staffing levels in our Security and Visitor Experience team have increased by 16% compared to 2023/24 and 2025/26 averages. Working practices and operations remain the same under the structure agreed following PCS consultation in 2023.
“We chose not to fill five vacant positions in line with our long standing organisational approach to vacancy management. No one has lost their jobs and service delivery is unaffected.
“Our operational requirements remain dynamic and we will shortly be joined by 52 new colleagues for our summer exhibitions.”
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