Unions representing staff at Bristol's Museums, Galleries and Archives have said they are "greatly concerned" about plans to restructure the museum service.
Unison and Unite, which represent staff in the city-run museums, issued a statement last month saying that the proposals will result in "an unbalanced provision and a significant reduction in public service".
According to the unions, the restructure will mean redundancies and a reduction in opening hours. They warned that a third of current curatorial posts (nine out 26) and a third of the conservation team could go as a result of the restructure.
A statement from the council said that a two-month formal consultation period was now taking place and that the review was a response to cuts in Renaissance in the Regions funding, as well as a desire to get the museum service in shape in time for the opening of the Museum of Bristol in 2011.
According to the statement the review will be implemented early next year.
Unison and Unite, which represent staff in the city-run museums, issued a statement last month saying that the proposals will result in "an unbalanced provision and a significant reduction in public service".
According to the unions, the restructure will mean redundancies and a reduction in opening hours. They warned that a third of current curatorial posts (nine out 26) and a third of the conservation team could go as a result of the restructure.
A statement from the council said that a two-month formal consultation period was now taking place and that the review was a response to cuts in Renaissance in the Regions funding, as well as a desire to get the museum service in shape in time for the opening of the Museum of Bristol in 2011.
According to the statement the review will be implemented early next year.
