Redundancies are being proposed at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) as part of a shake-up that will see a move from a regional to a centralised structure.
Some 60-80 posts are to be cut from the NTS's 550 permanent employees. Several staff have been invited to apply for new positions; others could be offered compulsory redundancy. A source told Museums Journal that the situation is 'unsettling' but would be more settled by the end of the year.
A three-year plan aims to pull back a £3m deficit. Ian Gardner, the marketing manager at NTS, said: 'Falling visitor numbers is one factor but not the crucial one.' Last year NTS reduced the opening hours of some of its properties. Gardner attributed their financial deficit to rising costs of which salaries make up 50 per cent of NTS's total costs. He said salaries 'have risen substantially over the last two years'.
Reports have suggested that the current regional structure had added to the problem with too many staff hired without management approval.
A period of consultation with staff who might be affected is underway and will run until the end of August. Mark Adderley, the chief executive of the NTS, said: 'It is important that we work with our staff to ensure that the NTS becomes sustainable and can continue to deliver high quality conservation.'
Some 60-80 posts are to be cut from the NTS's 550 permanent employees. Several staff have been invited to apply for new positions; others could be offered compulsory redundancy. A source told Museums Journal that the situation is 'unsettling' but would be more settled by the end of the year.
A three-year plan aims to pull back a £3m deficit. Ian Gardner, the marketing manager at NTS, said: 'Falling visitor numbers is one factor but not the crucial one.' Last year NTS reduced the opening hours of some of its properties. Gardner attributed their financial deficit to rising costs of which salaries make up 50 per cent of NTS's total costs. He said salaries 'have risen substantially over the last two years'.
Reports have suggested that the current regional structure had added to the problem with too many staff hired without management approval.
A period of consultation with staff who might be affected is underway and will run until the end of August. Mark Adderley, the chief executive of the NTS, said: 'It is important that we work with our staff to ensure that the NTS becomes sustainable and can continue to deliver high quality conservation.'
