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| British Museum cleaners go on strike | British Museum cleaners go on strike |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Cleaners and maintenance workers at the British Museum are on strike in a row over the privatisation of their work. | |
| Unions said staff at the central London museum feared their pay and conditions could be seriously cut if maintenance work is contracted out. | Unions said staff at the central London museum feared their pay and conditions could be seriously cut if maintenance work is contracted out. |
| The museum said it was consulting with staff. | The museum said it was consulting with staff. |
| The strike is due to take place until 10:00 GMT, with plans for more action on Monday next week. | |
| The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and Unite represent about 50 of the museum's cleaning and facilities management staff. | The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and Unite represent about 50 of the museum's cleaning and facilities management staff. |
| 'Undermining services' | 'Undermining services' |
| They believe senior managers are close to confirming that outsourcing will go ahead, with the new contract starting in April. | They believe senior managers are close to confirming that outsourcing will go ahead, with the new contract starting in April. |
| Unite regional officer Carolyn Simpson said: "Without our members carrying out the cleaning and servicing of the buildings and exhibits, the British Museum's standing as a world-class heritage site is in danger of becoming second class. | Unite regional officer Carolyn Simpson said: "Without our members carrying out the cleaning and servicing of the buildings and exhibits, the British Museum's standing as a world-class heritage site is in danger of becoming second class. |
| "We will not allow these jobs be outsourced without a fight." | "We will not allow these jobs be outsourced without a fight." |
| PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka added: "Introducing the profit motive is not only unnecessary, it risks undermining these important services to the public." | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka added: "Introducing the profit motive is not only unnecessary, it risks undermining these important services to the public." |
| A museum spokesperson said that cleaning services could be provided more simply and efficiently by the appointment of one contractor. | A museum spokesperson said that cleaning services could be provided more simply and efficiently by the appointment of one contractor. |