Turner Prize-winning artists Grayson Perry and Mark Wallinger have signed a letter to the management of the National Gallery asking them to halt privatisation plans.
Nearly 3,000 people, also including the artists Ryan Gander and Peter Kennard, have each sent a copy of the protest letter.
The letter, organised by the Public and Commercial Services Union, opposes plans that would see two-thirds of the gallery’s workers “outsourced” to a private company that would run security and visitor services.
Gallery warders and other affected staff will tomorrow hold their 23rd day of industrial action since February, coinciding with the bigger May Day workers and trade unions march in London.
It is understood the tender for a commercial partner is due to go out next week.
But the letter to outgoing gallery boss Nicholas Penny argues it would be “in the best interests of the gallery and everyone concerned” if plans were put on hold until after the election and the arrival of the new director, Gabriele Finaldi, this summer.
The Labour Party has called for talks to resume and the Green Party has asked for the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee to review the plans.
“It must be right to halt the process until after the election in order to allow an incoming government as well as the new director to review the situation,” the letter states. Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “Artists, politicians and the public are calling for a halt to this privatisation that is risking the reputation of one of our country’s greatest cultural institutions.”
But the gallery insists the moves are vital so it can introduce more flexible working and increase revenues in the face of falling grants. No jobs would go.
“We are one of the last major national UK museums to take this step,” a spokeswoman said.
