JGogarty

My wife used to work at the gallery some years ago and had a really good relationship with the Gallery Assistant team there. She is still in touch with many of them, and they are fighting for their livelihoods. Many of these people are artists and historians and are extremely knowledgeable, not just about the gallery collection but art in general. There are 19 people at risk of losing their jobs - there is no doubt about that. The terms and conditions being proposed are very unfavourable for the staff affected. Why on earth would they oppose contracts that improve their situations? It doesn't make any sense. I await with bated breath the gallery's impending PR campaign whitewashing away the nasty truth. While some might doubt the validity of a campaign petition, I am as inclined to doubt official statements. The people who write them are paid to make the gallery look benevolent. I for one shall be signing their petition to stop the redundancies.

Great response DPG. I have to say I've been to the gallery numerous times with my young son (who can be a bit of a handful) and the staff have always been lovely. However I have seen some people get quite irked when asked to keep their little ones from touching the art! This attitude I can never understand.