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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/12/national-gallery-strike-management-is-simply-union-busting

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National Gallery strike: management is simply union-busting National Gallery strike: management is simply union-busting
(about 17 hours later)
Let me get this straight: Nicholas Penny states there will be no change in the terms and conditions of people “outsourced” to Securitas (Letters, 10 August). Why are you doing it then? If Securitas pays the same employee costs as the National Gallery and adds a bit on for profit, then it must be impossible for it to do it cheaper. It is obviously controlled by a management of a certain political persuasion. The last statement (“frustrated by many years of strike action”) says it all. It’s union-busting. Strike action is not something people do for a fun day off work.Geoff B LowtherHuddersfield, West Yorkshire Let me get this straight: Nicholas Penny states there will be no change in the terms and conditions of people “outsourced” to Securitas (Letters, 10 August). Why are you doing it then? If Securitas pays the same employee costs as the National Gallery and adds a bit on for profit, then it must be impossible for it to do it cheaper. It is obviously controlled by a management of a certain political persuasion. The last statement (“frustrated by many years of strike action”) says it all. It’s union-busting. Strike action is not something people do for a fun day off work.Geoff B LowtherHuddersfield, West Yorkshire
• On a dark day last winter, my grandson and I did a brilliant audio children’s tour at the National Gallery. We were helped by friendly, knowledgeable staff. When we returned the equipment four hours later after a lunch break, the same staff were on duty. I asked if they had had a lunch break. “Not yet,” they said, at 3pm, still smiling and friendly. Government, recognise quality when we have it. It is far more precious than saving money by outsourcing.Alison WatsonLondon • On a dark day last winter, my grandson and I did a brilliant audio children’s tour at the National Gallery. We were helped by friendly, knowledgeable staff. When we returned the equipment four hours later after a lunch break, the same staff were on duty. I asked if they had had a lunch break. “Not yet,” they said, at 3pm, still smiling and friendly. Government, recognise quality when we have it. It is far more precious than saving money by outsourcing.Alison WatsonLondon
• It was my photograph used to illustrate the Jonathan Jones article attacking the PCS National Gallery strikers (Why the National Gallery strikes could turn me Tory, 4 August, theguardian.com). I feel the photograph put over a false narrative and the proper context was ignored. On 29 July, Nicholas Penny, the outgoing director, was having a leaving party. The PCS NG workers decided to hold a rally outside. The champagne had been brought by me to mark the occasion but also to say “well done” to the strikers. The photo gave a false impression that the National Gallery strikers were as bunch of frivolous “champagne socialists”. • It was my photograph used to illustrate the Jonathan Jones article attacking the PCS National Gallery strikers (Why the National Gallery strikes could turn me Tory, 4 August, theguardian.com). I feel the photograph put over a false narrative and the proper context was ignored. On 29 July, Nicholas Penny, the outgoing director, was having a leaving party. The PCS NG workers decided to hold a rally outside. The champagne had been brought by me to mark the occasion but also to say “well done” to the strikers. The photo gave a false impression that the National Gallery strikers were a bunch of frivolous “champagne socialists”.
Finally, Mr Jones, if you are so concerned with your aesthetic pleasures being constantly deferred, the National Gallery workers would appreciate you using your good offices with board to get this dispute resolved. This is as opposed to them acting like Medusa, turning every proposal from PCS they look at to stone.Floyd CodlinPCS member, LondonFinally, Mr Jones, if you are so concerned with your aesthetic pleasures being constantly deferred, the National Gallery workers would appreciate you using your good offices with board to get this dispute resolved. This is as opposed to them acting like Medusa, turning every proposal from PCS they look at to stone.Floyd CodlinPCS member, London
• Nicholas Penny writes revealingly about the strikes at the National Gallery: proposals put forward by the PCS do not satisfy “our requirements”. So much for a common purpose in a national institution. Can he be surprised that he’s got an industrial dispute on his hands?RP BlowsLondon• Nicholas Penny writes revealingly about the strikes at the National Gallery: proposals put forward by the PCS do not satisfy “our requirements”. So much for a common purpose in a national institution. Can he be surprised that he’s got an industrial dispute on his hands?RP BlowsLondon