National Gallery closed due to industrial action

The National Gallery will be closed today, as Siptu staff carry out a one-day work stoppage.

It is in protest against the removal of seven days annual leave from their contracts, on foot of a Labour Court recommendation.

They now have 25 days of annual leave.

Siptu organiser Jason Palmer says they are not yet ruling out further industrial action.

He said: "The dispute at the National Gallery is centred around a Labour Court recommendation to remove seven annual leave days from workers. Our members have voted against the recommendation but are willing to engage in meaningful talks with management to resolve this dispute.

"The dispute does not fall under the Public Service Agreement and as such the Labour Court did not issue a binding recommendation."