The Louvre Museum in Paris has closed its doors for the third time in January due to ongoing strikes by staff demanding increased hiring, higher wages, and improved working conditions. Trade unions emphasize that not only pay rises, but also the museum’s management approach and its security and maintenance policies must be brought into question.
The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed to visitors for the third time in January due to staff strikes. Museum management announced that the museum would remain closed because of protests that have continued for several days in response to demands for more recruitment, salary increases, and improved maintenance conditions. Unions stated that nearly 140 new staff members had been hired since the strike movement began in mid-December, while the Ministry of Culture announced that a new meeting had been scheduled for Thursday to discuss wage increases.
Salary and Management Disputes
Some union leaders have criticized the management style of museum director Laurence des Cars. Employees state that administrators display a distant and inflexible approach to problems and fail to adequately consider staff opinions in decision-making processes. They also report disruptions in museum security and maintenance operations, insufficient security measures, and unclear job descriptions.
Valérie Baud of the CFDT union said that even if wage increases are granted, problems will continue unless the current management approach changes. Elise Muller of the SUD union emphasized that management does not acknowledge its mistakes and ignores criticism.
Previous closures in December and January have cost the museum at least one million euros. This period has also brought renewed attention to the major jewelry theft that took place in October and caused widespread public reaction. Footage of the robbery was broadcast on French television for the first time, showing two thieves forcing open display cases in the Apollo Gallery while museum staff did not intervene.
