Hundreds back bid to save Macbob jobs
Almost 1200 people have signed a petition to save jobs at the Macrobert Arts Centre.
The Change.org petition, started by Andy Stewart, claims the Stirling arts centre is to make almost its entire technical department redundant, saving just one post at part-time hours and for only six months.
It says at the end of that period the Macrobert will have lost a group of staff with more than 60 years of collective service in the creative industries.
Mr Stewart said: “The current pandemic situation is difficult for everyone, none more so than the arts and events sector.
“With no clear indication of when our industry will reopen many staff and venues are worried of what the future holds.
“Despite recently receiving over £480,000 of emergency funding from Creative Scotland, Macrobert’s senior management has decided to still go ahead with redundancies.
“On top of this these staff also put forward proposals, at significant personal financial sacrifice, which could have secured jobs.
“These proposals not only would have allowed vitally required maintenance work to be carried out, essentially saving the venue money on labour costs, but would require very little of the emergency funding from Creative Scotland and would have saved the livelihoods of these people until at least March 2021, when a review of the situation could happen.
“These staff have families, homes and bills just like anyone else. They are the first one’s in and the last to leave for almost any event in the building, they are the ones who go above and beyond, giving all their time, effort and expertise to delivering the events people come to see. They are what makes the theatre work.”
Macrobert artistic director Julie Ellen said since venue closed on March 16 the most pressing need has been to survive. The centre saw a 60 per cent drop in total income.
A £485,213 grant removed the threat of insolvency and brought most staff back to work so they could present cinema, creative and social activity, engage volunteers in a mental health support project and explore new ways to entertain audience outwith the venue.
Ms Ellen said: “The impact of our lost income, brought about by closure, is that we have had to go through a consultation process with staff.
“At the end of this process some staff will work reduced hours and five posts have been made redundant.
“These five posts are made up of one marketing post, one venue and projects (hires) post, two technical posts, and one technical fixed-term post (maternity leave cover).
“We will retain two technical staff from the usual complement of four: one who usually works part time and is currently on maternity leave and one who has gone from a full time role to a new 0.5 role for a minimum of six months, with a focus on maintaining the technical facilities at Macrobert whilst we are not able to do any live performances in our venue.
“It is terrible position to be in that dedicated and skilled people will lose their jobs because of Covid-19 closure and the resulting uncertain future for live performance. All those connected to the Macrobert will feel this deeply, as will others in similar situations in venues throughout Scotland.
“Our commitment to everyone is that we will bring
Macrobert through this period until live performances are legally permitted, economically viable and safe to deliver.
“The future is uncertain. By adapting to the needs of our time we can ensure a future for Macrobert though.
“Thanks to the ongoing commitment of our funders and supporters it is possible for us to explore new, safe, and sustainable ways to offer arts experiences and participatory opportunities to all those which Macrobert Arts Centre serves.”