A union has branded restructuring plans at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) a “devastating blow” for the heritage sector as it claimed the move could see nearly 140 staff lose their jobs.
The trust, Scotland’s largest conservation charity, has launched a 90-day consultation on “significant changes” to its structure, including a slimming-down of operations at its headquarters in Edinburgh.
The move is part of the organisation’s strategy to widen its appeal and generate more income for conservation, and is estimated to release savings of £4 million a year for reinvesting in its operations.
The Prospect union warned NTS risks damaging its long-term aims “by pursuing short-term cost savings” and said up to 139 staff could be made redundant.
Prospect negotiator Ian Perth said: “Today’s announcement is a devastating blow to Scotland’s heritage sector.
“Our members are already significantly stretched and continue to do valuable work for the charity in such difficult times.
“We are concerned that the trust’s proposals rely heavily on replacing full-time staff with contractors.
“Although a move like this can show short-term cost reductions, they risk damaging the trust in the long-term.”
Prospect has welcomed a commitment not to cut jobs at property locations but said it fears the removal of vital central functions will lead to difficulties. The union said it will now work to minimise compulsory redundancies.
The NTS, which works to conserve and promote Scotland’s treasured places and collections, currently has 540 full-time and 750 seasonal staff.
The charity said the plans will see 68 new posts created across Scotland while about 42 posts will be transferred from their headquarters to be based alongside the properties it manages.
There will be an overall reduction in staff numbers, mainly at the Edinburgh base, with 142 posts classified as “at risk”.
But NTS also pointed to its “ambitious” investment programme of around £17 million over the next three years, which is expected to benefit locations including Culzean Castle and Country Park in South Ayrshire, Brodie Castle near Forres, Moray, and Newhailes House in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
Chief executive Simon Skinner said: “We have opened consultation with our recognised trade union on a visionary transformation of the trust.
“It is a bold and ambitious vision, which challenges us to completely change the way we deliver our core purposes.
“While the trust has achieved stability in the last few years, we have choices to make if we are to move forward and face up to ensuring our heritage remains relevant and engaging in an era of ever-more demanding, digitally-savvy generations.”
On the issue of jobs at the charity, he said: “For those affected, we will be opening up opportunities for voluntary redundancy and will match as many people as possible to new posts in order to keep compulsory redundancy to a minimum.
“But, inevitably, we will be losing some of our old friends and colleagues, and some will have to move from their current base: change is not easy, but change we must if we are to continue to deliver on our core purposes.”
