Glasgow UNISON warns employers over 'desperate' action to break solid strikes

Solid trade union action over the weekend successfully shut down the high profile Glasgow Boys exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery despite 'desperate' attempts by the city's leisure agency to break the strike, the local UNISON branch has stated.

The branch has warned that unions will report the employer for breach of regulations in such cases.

Brian Smith, Secretary of Glasgow UNISON said: "The high profile Glasgow Boys exhibition at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery was shut down by our rock solid strike, and remained closed all weekend.

"However, we believe that Culture and Sport Glasgow may have been engaged in a desperate attempt to undermine the perfectly lawful and highly effective industrial action by all unions. Activists have reported that a small number of agency workers were encouraged by management to cross official picket lines and work at the Kelvingrove Museum.

"This is unacceptable behaviour, and we will report the employer for breach of regulations in such cases."

Brian Smith said: "UNISON believes that Culture and Sport Glasgow - now 'rebranded' as Glasgow Life - would be better spending more effort trying to resolve the dispute with its own workforce than trying to persuade others to intervene in such an unacceptable manner."

Further targeted strike action is planned by the unions in the coming week.

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Notes for editors:

1. It is unlawful for an employment business to help an employer try to break a strike by supplying blackleg labour (Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003). An offender may be prosecuted by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) — part of the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). In addition, any person who suffers loss as a result of an infringement may sue the offender for compensation.

2. UNISON, Unite, GMB and BECTU members who work for Culture and Sport Glasgow (Glasgow Life) are engaged in industrial action to oppose a 10% pay cut for 150 workers and a pay freeze for all other staff; and to protect existing conditions, including public holiday arrangements and overtime rates.

3. Further targeted actions will take place over the next week at the People's Palace and the Gallery of Modern Art (Sat 3 and Sun 4 July) and at Scotstoun Stadium where the UK Super 8 athletics championships are being held (Wed 7 July). Another all out one day strike is also planned if no progress is made with the Culture Sport management.