British Museum staff ramp up protest after Carillion collapse
Mark Serwotka hails 'incredibly important' campaign
Friday, 20th April 2018 — By Tom Foot
The PCS protest outside the British Museum
BRITISH Museum staff who were employed by collapsed construction giant Carillion have ramped up their protests, calling for dozens of staff to be brought back in- house this week.
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) general secretary Mark Serwotka, PCS culture group president Clara Paillard, and shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP joined a protest rally in Great Russell Street on Wednesday.
The union is demanding action over its members who have been left in limbo for three months, going into work despite not being directly employed by anyone.
Mr Serwotka said: “This is an incredibly important campaign. The government has to act to protect these workers and give them the long-term stability they need. The culture secretary Matt Hancock could resolve this issue today by instructing the British Museum to bring these workers back in-house. They deserve nothing less.”
Since Carillion’s demise, staff at the British Museum have been paid by the “official receiver” on a short-term basis.
The union says that museum’s director and trustees should take responsibility and offer them employment contracts.
When Carillion took over the maintenance staffing contract at the museum five years ago, one of the company’s directors, Andy Lane, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the British Museum, this is a hugely prestigious contract for us.”
Staff numbers at the museum were reduced dramatically in the following years until the company went into voluntary liquidation in January.
A British Museum statement said: “We are working hard with PwC [PricewaterhouseCooper] to ensure that services continue to be delivered to the museum.
“We are reviewing options and will be in discussions with alternative service providers. We cannot discuss the details of these discussions at this stage for reasons of commercial confidentiality. Museum management are keeping the museum staff and their representatives informed on the position.
“However, the museum is not in a position to consult with Carillion staff or their representatives.”
