UNION leaders have warned Southend’s museums remain under threat as staff face “reduced hours and possible redundancies” under new plans.

A consultation is under way over proposals to change the opening hours of the museum services - which include Central Museum and Beecroft Gallery in Victoria Avenue, Prittlewell Priory and Southchurch Hall.

Under new proposals by the council, public opening hours would be cut and some full-time staff would have their hours reduced.

Zero hour contracts would also be scrapped.

The council put forward the idea to cut opening hours during the week in an effort to open the museum on a Sunday for the very first time.

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Union members are now considering their next steps to make sure members are listened to, as they fear the lowest paid staff will suffer the most if plans are approved.

Unison branch secretary, Claire Wormald, criticised the council’s move and urged politicians to listen to frontline staff.

Ms Wormald said: “We continue to face a situation in which the overall reduction in the hours delivered by the current team will condemn many of our members either to redundancy or a cut in income.

“The staff bearing the brunt of these changes are the front of house workers.”

Ms Wormald pointed to museum staff who played a huge part in the town’s response to the pandemic, adding: “It’s ironic that they are the very people who were willingly redeployed to support the council’s Covid response, helping for instance in testing centres and in patrolling the seafront to ensure public health and safety during lockdown.

“As we come out of the tightest restrictions and just when we should be looking forward to opening up our venues and attractions to the community and our visitors, they fear for their future and the future viability of museums. Our members just don’t feel they’ve been listened to.”

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism and planning, said the proposals are designed to help the museums service respond to public demand.

She said: “Instead of zero hour contracts, current staff will have the opportunity to apply for positions, offering guaranteed hours providing stability for both staff members and the council.

“I do understand that if the consultation proposals are approved, this will affect several staff members working in the museum service, but we need to adapt to the needs of our visitors. These proposals have followed the council’s HR procedures and we have held open some library vacancies should any affected staff wish to maintain full time hours.”