Quick thread about the protests against mass redundancies in the arts (in London).

Tl;dr – over 1000 workers in the arts (and indeed, along a small stretch of the Thames) are set to lose their jobs within a month.

Branches are organising, and will need support from wider mvmt
On June 24 @Tate_United reported that @Tate [or rather Tate Enterprise, a separate firm that runs cafés etc] planned to make 200 staff redundant.

On July 3, the Guardian reported that the @NationalTheatre plans to make 400 casual staff, from backstage and FoH, redundant. & ..
On July 16, @PCS_Southbank (SBC) announced that SBC would be making nearly 2/3s of staff would be losing their jobs.

(Bear in mind all these three workplaces a short walk from each other.)
The first public action was from PCS Tate branch on 24 July, who protested cuts as the T Modern opened to the press. (PCS& #39; report here: https://tinyurl.com/y66e44jr )

The">https://tinyurl.com/y66e44jr&... second was a 50-strong demo the following Monday 27, as reported on by @homershame here: https://tinyurl.com/y4lwel3h ">https://tinyurl.com/y4lwel3h&...
Lizzie Homersham on protests at Tate Modern

“SHAME ON TATE.” This chant reverberated at a protest organized by dozens of staffers with PCS Tate United and PCS Culture Group on Monday, ensuring that no visitor to London’s Tate Modern—newly...

https://tinyurl.com/y66e44jr
As LH reported, PCS Tate demand 3 things:

1/ If bailout money is available it must save jobs

2/ If the money isn’t enough, then institutions must demand more funding

3/ No redundancies while senior staff continue to be paid annual salaries of over £100,000.
The third and last action was last Saturday Aug 1, from PCS SBC, workers at the NT (outside of Bectu structures), as supported by several UCU branches, BP Or Not BP, and Vanessa Redgrave.

Short report on Saturday& #39;s demo here: https://tinyurl.com/yyem2jh5 ">https://tinyurl.com/yyem2jh5&...
'Brutal' planned redundancies at London's Southbank Centre called out in open letter

Signatories claim cuts will disproportionately affect Bame staff and question chief executive’s salary

https://tinyurl.com/yyem2jh5
Sat 1 Aug coincided with an Open Letter from SBC staff. If you read anything linked here, read this: https://saveoursouthbank.com/ 

"When">https://saveoursouthbank.com/">... SBC reopens in 2021 it will operate with an entirely new operating structure, based, according to senior management, on a ‘start-up’."
#SouthbankSOS

Visit the post for more.

https://saveoursouthbank.com/
Hope can say without ego that the combining of unions was helped by cosa nostra, the Art Workers Forum, which is developing as a shop stewards network in the art industry.

Please be in contact if you& #39;re a trade unionist in the arts facing redundancy.
Basics are:

- massive attacks across these three art workplaces (doubtless many others too), which

- fall dsprprtnlty on casualised and BAME workers (see the Open Letter)

- PCS taking the initiative

- there is money!

- we need mass protests

- road runs out after ~4 weeks
From @Tate_United just now: ‘our ballot results for strike action are in and 88.6% of members in
Tate Commerce vote YES on a 79%’ - see everyone in mid-Aug.
Tate strike dates, starting Tues 18th.

AgiTate (sub-PCS grouping leading effort, I believe) here: https://www.facebook.com/AgiTate-420032988201491/">https://www.facebook.com/AgiTate-4...
Not just an employment issue: & #39;What will change from 2021 [at Southbank] (...) is that the centre will directly produce just 10 per cent of its arts activity. The remaining 90 per cent – “rentals” – will be provided by other partners and promoters.& #39; https://tinyurl.com/y4rr45xd ">https://tinyurl.com/y4rr45xd&... (NSt)
“Laughable and terrifying”: inside the Southbank Centre restructure

Europe’s largest arts centre will look to further commercialisation to recover from the coronavirus crisis.

https://tinyurl.com/y4rr45xd
Had missed it, 8 July EDM in regards Tate redundancies.
Had missed it, 8 July EDM in regards Tate redundancies.
Had missed it, 8 July EDM in regards Tate redundancies.
Fantastic to see support from the DUP
3 things

-Socialist Appl on 1 Aug: https://tinyurl.com/y5m4cel2 ">https://tinyurl.com/y5m4cel2&...

-Art Forum on cmpgns, Tate strike: https://tinyurl.com/y66p5mgx 

-Elephant">https://tinyurl.com/y66p5mgx&... & #39;The art world, already a precarious and elitist space that few can afford to enter, looks set to become even smaller.& #39;: https://tinyurl.com/y4o7xrf3 ">https://tinyurl.com/y4o7xrf3&...
@PCS_Southbank will launch consultative ballot on 10 Aug over, q is whether members & #39;prepared to take action in defence of their redundancy terms, and their jobs.& #39; (nb SBC have offered worse redundancy deal than agreed)

https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/pcs-to-launch-ballot-as-southbank-centre-confirms-cuts-to-redundancy-pay-for-hundreds-of-staff">https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/pcs-...
Strike fund for Tate Commerce (put a £10 in, match it if you& #39;re good for it): https://www.gofundme.com/f/tate-commerce-strike-fund

And">https://www.gofundme.com/f/tate-co... from SBC branchsec @garethspencer, top piece: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/how-the-southbank-centre-betrayed-arts-workers">https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/h...
On @PCS_Southbank& #39;s

- consultative ballot & Unite& #39;s joining possible industrial campaign (run for a week, then a postal ballot [forget how long takes], then a two-week "cooling off" period, iirc)

- and their request that SBC apply for gov funds

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/strike-action-looms-at-tate-and-southbank-centre-as-unions-fight-restructuring-plans">https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/stri...
Email to Tate Commerce staff from management (thanks @thewhitepube).

& #39;313 redundancies& #39;, & #39;selection process is likely to conclude by mid-September& #39;
Email to Tate Commerce staff from management (thanks @thewhitepube). & #39;313 redundancies& #39;, & #39;selection process is likely to conclude by mid-September& #39;
Email to Tate Commerce staff from management (thanks @thewhitepube). & #39;313 redundancies& #39;, & #39;selection process is likely to conclude by mid-September& #39;
One correction, the employer in Tate case is Tate Commerce Ltd., a wholly-owned sub of Tate.
Real story here is the Guardian getting their info off White Pube, just take a couple of union reps out for lunch once in a while ya cheapskates #Echobox=1597233102">https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/aug/12/tate-galleries-to-make-half-of-commercial-workforce-redundant?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter #Echobox=1597233102">https://www.theguardian.com/artanddes...
Tate galleries to make half of commercial workforce redundant

313 jobs to go in publishing and shops, cafes and restaurants in London, Liverpool and St Ives

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/aug/12/tate-galleries-to-make-half-of-commercial-workforce-redundant?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1597233102
A link to Tate Commerce workers& #39; strike fund.

They need ~2k more to go out without too much financial worry: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tate-commerce-strike-fund

Plus">https://www.gofundme.com/f/tate-co... a reminder that Tate& #39;s (and Tate Commerce& #39;s) Boards are political appointees, most from Tory govs.
A link to Tate Commerce workers& #39; strike fund. They need ~2k more to go out without too much financial worry: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tate-co... a reminder that Tate& #39;s (and Tate Commerce& #39;s) Boards are political appointees, most from Tory govs.
A link to Tate Commerce workers& #39; strike fund. They need ~2k more to go out without too much financial worry: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tate-co... a reminder that Tate& #39;s (and Tate Commerce& #39;s) Boards are political appointees, most from Tory govs.
Art workers and wider movement invited to solidarity protest with Tate strikers. Saturday 22 August.

Please share this far and wide: https://www.facebook.com/events/725551438234293/">https://www.facebook.com/events/72...
This is great from @SophieHemery on the campaign at the Tate. V thorough, and brings out attractions of working in the arts (I guess industry-specific ideologies of work): https://preview.tinyurl.com/yy2xehsz 

FB">https://preview.tinyurl.com/yy2xehsz&... event for next Saturday& #39;s rally is here: https://tinyurl.com/y52qfzmo ">https://tinyurl.com/y52qfzmo&...
".. we present a banishing spell to rid the Tate Modern of the baleful influence of its bourgeois structures. .. we are here to support you as reproductive workers who maintain the conditions for artistic production .." Unsure what to make of.

http://www.psychogeography.org/tate-bastard/ ">https://www.psychogeography.org/tate-bast...
wonder if it& #39;s possible to write a paragraph containing the word & #39;banishing& #39; without also using & #39;baleful& #39; at some point
1st day of the @Tate_United strikes, running through week. Links:

Event for Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, 11-3pm (see photo): https://tinyurl.com/yxjryut6 

And">https://tinyurl.com/yxjryut6&... Sat, the week final, for the wider movement to show solidarity: https://tinyurl.com/y6bvj6bs 

Strike">https://tinyurl.com/y6bvj6bs&... fund (dig!): https://tinyurl.com/y2msys2t ">https://tinyurl.com/y2msys2t&...
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☺️" title="Lächelndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht">
I forgot where I got photo, props/apols to whoever took it

Crrctn ^: Tate strikes are from Tate Commerce wrkrs, in the shops. TC is a & #39;division& #39; (other is Tate Catering) of Tate Enterprise Ltd., a whlly-wnd sub of Tate . I think (!) TC is the employer for legal purposes.
Two more campaigns on river, at Soutbank cntr and NT.

@PCS_Southbank got balloting, results imminently, fingers x& #39;d.

Longer article on it: https://tinyurl.com/yymyvmu5 

Their">https://tinyurl.com/yymyvmu5&... first demo is two Saturdays off (29th), gonna be good: https://tinyurl.com/y2b7xztd 

Pic">https://tinyurl.com/y2b7xztd&... crrnt Private Eye:
back to Tate, just now
"Although not all staff are picketing, the protests have left a number of Tate gift shops closed." + solid pledge from Serwotka.

Good article on Tate strikes: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tate-strike-1902476">https://news.artnet.com/art-world...
Tate Workers Are Going on Strike and Picketing the Museum After It Cut More Than 300 Jobs From Its...

More than 100 workers at Tate have begun an indefinite strike in response to news that the institution will cut more than 300 jobs.

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tate-strike-1902476
Yes yes

Also Tate striker saying scabbing from Tate Catering (see above) ppl minimal, and that shops remained shut today. https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/protest-outside-tate-st-ives-4435818">https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/corn...
Protest outside Tate St Ives after job cuts announced

Strike action by workers at Tate galleries across the country is planned for this week after job cuts were announced

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/protest-outside-tate-st-ives-4435818
Ethereum for the win ( @Tate_United)
Haven’t read, but author David Beech wrote a brilliant book of Marxist (innovatively, ‘Capital-centric’) theorising of art. https://artreview.com/the-artworld-crisis-of-solidarity/">https://artreview.com/the-artwo...
The Artworld’s Crisis of Solidarity

Solidarity today is at once among the most urgent political projects and among the least likely to succeed

https://artreview.com/the-artworld-crisis-of-solidarity/
"Turner bursary recipients stand in solidarity with Tate gallery workers", very strong
Tate now hiring Visitor Assistants, without offering roles to staff threatening with redundancy.

Reminder for this Saturday& #39;s protest: https://facebook.com/events/s/mass-protest-for-striking-tate/725551438234293,">https://facebook.com/events/s/... be there or be [ ]
A pastiche of Duchamp’s (or was it his?) urinal, plus a New Statesman piece.

Obvs these strikes in the
‘civilised’ arts titilating NS eds, but they were ‘neutral‘ on q of Corbyn vs. Johnson so they can fuck themselves. (Piece good, tbf to writer)

https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/art-design/2020/08/tate-staff-left-alienated-and-disheartened-after-gallery-announces-313">https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/a...
Excellent line-up for tomo& #39;s event, 11-3, Tate Modern.

FB here: https://m.facebook.com/events/725551438234293">https://m.facebook.com/events/72...
@Tate_United & #39;s Saturday protest washttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👌" title="Ok hand" aria-label="Emoji: Ok hand">(1/2)

Org& #39;d by striking workrs, felt militant and directed, but also a breadth to it. ~150 ppl.

1st time a snr Lab pltcn spoken in person in support of these riverside campaigns (was the EDM a while back). Also cpl of CLPs.
@Tate_United & #39;s Saturday protest washttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=(1/2)Org& #39;d by striking workrs, felt militant and directed, but also a breadth to it. ~150 ppl.1st time a snr Lab pltcn spoken in person in support of these riverside campaigns (was the EDM a while back). Also cpl of CLPs." title=" @Tate_United & #39;s Saturday protest washttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👌" title="Ok hand" aria-label="Emoji: Ok hand">(1/2)Org& #39;d by striking workrs, felt militant and directed, but also a breadth to it. ~150 ppl.1st time a snr Lab pltcn spoken in person in support of these riverside campaigns (was the EDM a while back). Also cpl of CLPs.">
@Tate_United & #39;s Saturday protest washttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=(1/2)Org& #39;d by striking workrs, felt militant and directed, but also a breadth to it. ~150 ppl.1st time a snr Lab pltcn spoken in person in support of these riverside campaigns (was the EDM a while back). Also cpl of CLPs." title=" @Tate_United & #39;s Saturday protest washttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👌" title="Ok hand" aria-label="Emoji: Ok hand">(1/2)Org& #39;d by striking workrs, felt militant and directed, but also a breadth to it. ~150 ppl.1st time a snr Lab pltcn spoken in person in support of these riverside campaigns (was the EDM a while back). Also cpl of CLPs.">
2/2

Talks from union and art ppl, good having mix. Leckey& #39;s was great: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEMXJnlFAo8/?igshid=1l790i0rvckyq

Daily">https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEMXJn... Mail only nat coverage I saw: & #39;They wanted a Jackson Pollock but they got a Jeremy Pi11ock instead& #39; in comments, etc.

More from Tate, Soutbank and National Theatre v soon.
3/2

Photos by Steve Eason: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127991958@N06/

Zarina">https://www.flickr.com/photos/12... Muhammad& #39;s (White Pube) speech also killed it: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEMVyrilRU_/?igshid=1a5jj9sj7hs8g">https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEMVyr...
today,

- Tate United announce strikes indefinite, believe (!) it& #39;s now every day for foreseeable.

- good piece from @lukepcartledge
on art unions: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/trade-unionism-in-the-arts

-">https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/t... & 100+ art educators (UCU and NEU) pledge no excursions to Tate: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/open-letter-arts-educators-say-no-to-tate-redundancies

n1">https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/o... Tribune
today, - Tate United announce strikes indefinite, believe (!) it& #39;s now every day for foreseeable. - good piece from @lukepcartledgeon art unions: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/t... & 100+ art educators (UCU and NEU) pledge no excursions to Tate: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/o... Tribune
today, - Tate United announce strikes indefinite, believe (!) it& #39;s now every day for foreseeable. - good piece from @lukepcartledgeon art unions: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/t... & 100+ art educators (UCU and NEU) pledge no excursions to Tate: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/08/o... Tribune
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📢" title="Lautsprecheranlage" aria-label="Emoji: Lautsprecheranlage">Demo this Saturday, starting at National Theatre 10am, big collab between Bectu NT and @PCS_Southbank.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗓️" title="Spiralkalenderblatt" aria-label="Emoji: Spiralkalenderblatt">FB for Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/events/304129887492360

+">https://www.facebook.com/events/30... NT Casuals got a new FB page, give it a like for updates: https://www.facebook.com/NTcasuals ">https://www.facebook.com/NTcasuals...
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=Demo this Saturday, starting at National Theatre 10am, big collab between Bectu NT and @PCS_Southbank. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗓️" title="Spiralkalenderblatt" aria-label="Emoji: Spiralkalenderblatt">FB for Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/events/30... NT Casuals got a new FB page, give it a like for updates: https://www.facebook.com/NTcasuals..." title="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📢" title="Lautsprecheranlage" aria-label="Emoji: Lautsprecheranlage">Demo this Saturday, starting at National Theatre 10am, big collab between Bectu NT and @PCS_Southbank. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗓️" title="Spiralkalenderblatt" aria-label="Emoji: Spiralkalenderblatt">FB for Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/events/30... NT Casuals got a new FB page, give it a like for updates: https://www.facebook.com/NTcasuals..." class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
Letter of support for PCS SBC from a group of artists, whose own touring group-show is organised by Haywood Gallery (part of SBC).

See close-up photo for details of SBC management& #39;s & #39;disaster capitalism& #39; strategy.

Also Frieze article on Tate: https://www.frieze.com/article/why-tate-staff-are-strike">https://www.frieze.com/article/w...
Letter of support for PCS SBC from a group of artists, whose own touring group-show is organised by Haywood Gallery (part of SBC).See close-up photo for details of SBC management& #39;s & #39;disaster capitalism& #39; strategy. Also Frieze article on Tate: https://www.frieze.com/article/w...
Letter of support for PCS SBC from a group of artists, whose own touring group-show is organised by Haywood Gallery (part of SBC).See close-up photo for details of SBC management& #39;s & #39;disaster capitalism& #39; strategy. Also Frieze article on Tate: https://www.frieze.com/article/w...
Letter of support for PCS SBC from a group of artists, whose own touring group-show is organised by Haywood Gallery (part of SBC).See close-up photo for details of SBC management& #39;s & #39;disaster capitalism& #39; strategy. Also Frieze article on Tate: https://www.frieze.com/article/w...
Letter of support for PCS SBC from a group of artists, whose own touring group-show is organised by Haywood Gallery (part of SBC).See close-up photo for details of SBC management& #39;s & #39;disaster capitalism& #39; strategy. Also Frieze article on Tate: https://www.frieze.com/article/w...
This the best report on last Saturday& #39;s SBC-NT collab rally: https://tinyurl.com/y67lj5rr 

On">https://tinyurl.com/y67lj5rr&... Tate, see wider workfrc& #39;s spprt for strike: https://tinyurl.com/y5rcgjmb ">https://tinyurl.com/y5rcgjmb&...

If UCU, come tomo morning to Tate Britain picket, 9.30-10: https://www.facebook.com/events/4533529073354649

And">https://www.facebook.com/events/45... see pic for Friday& #39;s public demo.
+, huge number of NT workers (250 FoH, 150 backstage) lost jobs yesterday. Below& #39;s a testimonial from one worker.

Follow @ArtsCasuals for more. Demands are:

1/ that NT & #39;Pay What They Owe& #39;,
2/ pref re-hiring
3/ no 0-hours

Hoping Bectu is able to push them over next months.
This thread now indefinite 1/2

Les événements du week-end dernier:

- UCU joined Tate Britain pickets on 04/08

- Artists Tai Shani in ArtReview: https://tinyurl.com/y6fzzxym 

-">https://tinyurl.com/y6fzzxym&... SBC& #39;s key workers bullshit falls pancake-flat: https://tinyurl.com/y2nw253d ">https://tinyurl.com/y2nw253d&...
This thread now indefinite 1/2Les événements du week-end dernier: - UCU joined Tate Britain pickets on 04/08- Artists Tai Shani in ArtReview: https://tinyurl.com/y6fzzxym&... SBC& #39;s key workers bullshit falls pancake-flat: https://tinyurl.com/y2nw253d&...
This thread now indefinite 1/2Les événements du week-end dernier: - UCU joined Tate Britain pickets on 04/08- Artists Tai Shani in ArtReview: https://tinyurl.com/y6fzzxym&... SBC& #39;s key workers bullshit falls pancake-flat: https://tinyurl.com/y2nw253d&...
- TWT session on redundancies in arts: https://tinyurl.com/y368pfl2 

-">https://tinyurl.com/y368pfl2&... Piece by Micha F-C (more culture crit column, cool that involves labour): https://tinyurl.com/y572urkl 

-">https://tinyurl.com/y572urkl&... Comic xplainer on Tate strikes (pic)

- &, disquietingly, strikers halted picket due to police Sunday (pic) 2/2
- TWT session on redundancies in arts: https://tinyurl.com/y368pfl2&... Piece by Micha F-C (more culture crit column, cool that involves labour): https://tinyurl.com/y572urkl&... Comic xplainer on Tate strikes (pic)- &, disquietingly, strikers halted picket due to police Sunday (pic) 2/2
- TWT session on redundancies in arts: https://tinyurl.com/y368pfl2&... Piece by Micha F-C (more culture crit column, cool that involves labour): https://tinyurl.com/y572urkl&... Comic xplainer on Tate strikes (pic)- &, disquietingly, strikers halted picket due to police Sunday (pic) 2/2
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