'Suffocating' Louvre closed as security staff go on strike due to overcrowding
The Local France - [email protected]
Published: 27 May, 2019 CET.
Updated: Mon 27 May 2019 13:13 CET
The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed on Monday due to a strike by reception and security staff who claim the museum is "suffocating" due to overcrowding, leaving thousands of tourists disappointed.
The Louvre was set to remain closed for the whole of Monday as reception and security went on strike due to a recent increase in the number of visitors.
⚠ Museum closed today ⚠
Due to a recent increase in visitor numbers, members of the Musée du Louvre’s Reception and Security staff are exercising their right to strike. The museum will therefore remain closed all day today (May 27, 2019).
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) May 27, 2019
In a statement the Sud Culture Solidaires union said: "The Louvre is suffocating" and that staff members have noticed a "deterioration in conditions for visitors and workers".
"This represents an increase of 20 percent since 2009, but the palace has not grown," said the union, adding that during this time the number of staff members has decreased.
The management of the Louvre confirmed in the late morning that the museum had not opened and was expected to remain closed until the end of the day but "without further comment for the moment."
The museum announced that any tickets for Monday could be refunded by writing to [email protected].
We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.
To obtain refunds for tickets dated May 27, 2019, please write to: [email protected]
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) May 27, 2019
Disappointed visitors post photos of the long queues outside the museum on Monday morning.
Strike at the Louvre Museum !!!!
Without any warning to the customers??!!?? pic.twitter.com/QG4tAk1JPD
— Ariel Ferrer (@arielferrer1) May 27, 2019
Pretty sure there was a walkout at the Louvre today. pic.twitter.com/BdFhMn97Nl
— morgan hayward (@morganhayward) May 27, 2019
The CGT Culture union said 150 museum staff had gathered outside the culture ministry in Paris to protest "against staff shortages".
The Louvre said it would refund visitors who had bought tickets for Monday.
It is usually particularly busy on Mondays as it is one of the few Paris museums to stay open on a day when many others close.
This is not the first time Louvre workers have staged a strike over conditions: in April 2013 staff walked out due to an upsurge in pickpockets targeting tourists.
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The Louvre was set to remain closed for the whole of Monday as reception and security went on strike due to a recent increase in the number of visitors.
⚠ Museum closed today ⚠
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) May 27, 2019
Due to a recent increase in visitor numbers, members of the Musée du Louvre’s Reception and Security staff are exercising their right to strike. The museum will therefore remain closed all day today (May 27, 2019).
In a statement the Sud Culture Solidaires union said: "The Louvre is suffocating" and that staff members have noticed a "deterioration in conditions for visitors and workers".
"This represents an increase of 20 percent since 2009, but the palace has not grown," said the union, adding that during this time the number of staff members has decreased.
The management of the Louvre confirmed in the late morning that the museum had not opened and was expected to remain closed until the end of the day but "without further comment for the moment."
The museum announced that any tickets for Monday could be refunded by writing to [email protected].
We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) May 27, 2019
To obtain refunds for tickets dated May 27, 2019, please write to: [email protected]
Disappointed visitors post photos of the long queues outside the museum on Monday morning.
Strike at the Louvre Museum !!!!
— Ariel Ferrer (@arielferrer1) May 27, 2019
Without any warning to the customers??!!?? pic.twitter.com/QG4tAk1JPD
Pretty sure there was a walkout at the Louvre today. pic.twitter.com/BdFhMn97Nl
— morgan hayward (@morganhayward) May 27, 2019
The CGT Culture union said 150 museum staff had gathered outside the culture ministry in Paris to protest "against staff shortages".
The Louvre said it would refund visitors who had bought tickets for Monday.
It is usually particularly busy on Mondays as it is one of the few Paris museums to stay open on a day when many others close.
This is not the first time Louvre workers have staged a strike over conditions: in April 2013 staff walked out due to an upsurge in pickpockets targeting tourists.
READ ALSO:
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