Opening night strike

Scotland's Cumbernauld Theatre is to be hit by a series of stoppages from this Friday in protest at planned job and pay cuts.

The strikes over the next month, by BECTU members at the theatre, will target both the opening night of the theatre's new season and the public bar.

Rumours emerged during talks with Cumbernauld Theatre management on job and pay cut proposals, which suggested they were keen to close the theatre building, and turn the operation into a touring theatre company based in an office in Motherwell.

BECTU is concerned management are using the proposals to provoke a dispute which allows them to blame the staff and union for any subsequent closure.

Paul McManus, BECTU's Scottish Organiser, said: "These committed and loyal staff have supported Cumbernauld Theatre over many years, enduring job cuts and pay freezes, as successive managements have failed to balance the books; but they are now totally disgusted at management's failure to consider a single compromise solution put forward by staff, since talks began in February 2007.

"Management has repeatedly threatened the staff that the Board will cease trading unless staff accept these draconian proposals.

"It is appalling that four people are losing their jobs, and others facing big cuts in pay, when management are advertising a new highly paid senior management post which these cuts are essentially funding".

The union said members are keen to minimise the financial impact to the theatre, but have been left with no alternative to strike action as management have persistently refused to negotiate with the union.