Trade unionists have threatened strike action amid complaints that temperatures in some Venice museums have remained above 30C for weeks, endangering the wellbeing of workers and visitors.
The Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) says it has formally signalled a labour dispute, usually a first step towards possible strike action, as high temperatures have been recorded in recent weeks inside museums belonging to two museum clusters, the National Archaeological Museums of Venice and the Lagoon (MAN-VE-LAG) and the Veneto Regional Directorate of National Museums (DRMNV).
In a statement shared with The Art Newspaper, the union says high humidity levels have pushed perceived temperatures to 40C, increasing the risk of “exhaustion, cramps and heatstroke”. It describes working conditions as “an intolerable situation that not only jeopardises the health and safety of workers, but also seriously undermines the dignity of the visitor experience and the very protection of the artistic heritage on display”.
The union claimed that “some museums” from the MAN-VE-LAG and DRMNV clusters, which include historic sites such as Giorgio Franchetti Gallery at the Ca’ d’Oro and the Museo di Palazzo Grimani, have been affected. It denounces the “complete lack of maintenance” of fan coils and windows at the National Archaeological Museum of Venice, part of both clusters, adding that management have failed to provide staff with water or training about dealing with heatstroke.
The Unione Sindacale di Base says high humidity levels have pushed perceived temperatures to 40C, increasing the risk of “exhaustion, cramps and heatstroke” Photo: USB Pubblico Impiego
Asked to explain how the union has assessed the threat to workers’ health, Gabriele Raise, a USB representative overseeing the case, pointed to the union’s own guidelines, which encourage workers to request work suspension when perceived temperatures exceed 35C. He says at least two museums in the networks were impacted by the heat problems, but was able to identify only the National Archaeological Museum of Venice.
Since last summer, Raise added, USB has repeatedly notified MAN-VE-LAG and DRMNV of the issue. The union requested an urgent meeting on 1 July but has not yet received a response.
In joint statements sent to The Art Newspaper, MAN-VE-LAG and DRMNV say they are “aware of difficulties” in non-air-conditioned areas of some museums and have “promptly shared operational guidelines” with staff. They add that they have introduced “greater flexibility” to allow employees regular access to air-conditioned or ventilated spaces.
However, USB states that any information circulated among staff has been verbal and have requested formal, written guidelines.
The organisations say they are addressing the challenge of quickly adapting historic buildings to better cope with heatwaves, working with Italy’s culture ministry to identify solutions that respect planning constraints. “The reported issues have long been the attention of the relevant offices, which have carried out the necessary inspections and scheduled the required works,” they say.
