Strike tomorrow at the Borghese Gallery, protesting the museum's grave situation

The last day of the opening of the major Bernini exhibition at the Galleria Borghese in Rome will not take place in the most peaceful way. In fact, the unions have called a strike for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 20, that will last from 2 to 5 p.m. and will be preceded, from 1 to 2 p.m., by aunion meeting. The climate at the Gallery has become decidedly heavy: after the accusations made against the director Anna Coliva (who will appear in court next February 28) now comes the state of agitation, an act of protest against the director herself and against a situation that, according to the unions, has become serious.

Below is the text sent to the press organs by UILPA-BACT.

Tomorrow, February 20, 2018, the workers of the Borghese Gallery have called a day of mobilization to protest against a management that is mortifying one of the most prestigious Italian Museums.
All the Trade Unions of the Ministry have joined the workers to send a very clear message to the Minister: the Borghese Gallery is a site at risk because security measures are not being respected. This, according to the unions, has occurred because of questionable management choices, with extended hours for events that have very little to do with the cultural offerings without the minimum numbers for surveillance required by security protocols and the indiscriminate use of volunteer staff to replace tenured staff.
“An authoritarian and unilateral management style,” the union representatives continue, “has led to the breakdown of labor relations, a climate of great tension within and punitive choices against workers.”
“All facts known to the Ministry,” the union representatives continue, “which has not moved a finger to address and resolve a situation that has become unbearable.” Added to this is also the news of the indictment of Executive Dr. Coliva for serious charges related to her service activities: “a serious fact that, if established in the courts, would cast a further shadow on this management, given that the disputed facts predate her appointment as Executive.”
For these reasons, to defend the Borghese Gallery and its priceless heritage tomorrow, February 20, the workers will be from 1 to 2 p.m. in assembly and from 2 to 5 p.m. in an outdoor garrison to raise awareness among citizens and the public about the museum’s serious situation.

Pictured is the Rape of Proserpine by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, preserved at the Borghese Gallery. Ph. Credit Windows on Art

Strike tomorrow at the Borghese Gallery, protesting the museum's grave situation

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