Tate galleries announces voluntary redundancy consultation

Tate has announced that due to a huge drop-off in footfall and income due to COVID, it is having to enter into a redundancy process with a view to losing 120 full time equivalent positions from across the organisation.

The group has said that it is hoping all staff reductions can be made on a voluntary bass through retirement, leave of absence and voluntary redundancy.

Alan Leighton, Prospect National Secretary, said:

“This is awful news for all those working at Tate which has seen income devastated by the COVID crisis.

“Tate has made clear that it hopes to be able to make staff reductions entirely on a voluntary basis and this is an approach Prospect welcomes. Prospect is working with the employer to ensure the best possible terms for those who do lose their jobs and we hope compulsory redundancies can be avoided.

“Voluntary redundancies are still redundancies however and everyone working in the heritage sector and across the wider tourist economy will be hugely concerned about their jobs for the foreseeable future. The government has to recognise that with no way of generating sufficient external income, further targeted support for the sector is desperately needed to preserve our nation’s incredible cultural heritage.

“Large organisations like Tate ought to be able to survive the crisis but be in no doubt that the level of service and activity will be significantly impacted. Meanwhile smaller organisations will be questioning their viability.”