THE opening of Hull's museums could be severely disrupted during the summer holidays after staff voted in favour of industrial action over cuts.
A meeting was held by the GMB union with the 40 staff at Hull City Council's museum service on Tuesday night with an indicative ballot unanimous in favour of strikes.
A full ballot will now be carried out, which will take four to six weeks.
The union is fighting the council's decision to reduce funding to the service by £150,000 and cut staff numbers.
There was an outcry when the council announced it was closing the Hands On History Museum.
The museum is now remaining open but on much-reduced hours.
GMB convenor at Hull City Council Neil Ware said: "We have been negotiating with the local authority but now we have come to an impasse.
"At the meeting this week, it was passed unanimously to ballot for industrial action.
"We have informed the council. We will now look to close the museums during strike action and campaign in the city centre."
Mr Ware says the action taken will maximise disruption.
He said: "There are hoops we have to go through but we expect the ballot will be carried out in four to six weeks.
"It will mean the closure of museums, picketing and occupying buildings. We are looking to close them on a daily basis.
"We need to disrupt the service as much as possible so people realise what it is they are missing.
"We are happy to talk to the council again if it comes back with more money but I believe industrial action is almost certain to take place."
Mr Ware believes the timing of the cuts is baffling.
He said: "It's strange how the council can find £250,000 to bail out Hull Truck, which is a private company, but not help its own museums.
"The announcement of the UK City of Culture gave the city a great lift and the museum staff felt valued by the public at least.
"So, it is bizarre that the council is making these cuts at this time."
Councillor Terry Geraghty, portfolio holder for culture, insists there is nothing more the council can do.
He said: "We have to make £28m in cuts and there is no more we can do.
"We have made the smallest cuts we can. Originally, there were going to be £250,000 cuts but I have managed to reduce that to £150,000.
"We have managed to keep open the likes of the Ferens Art Gallery and the Maritime Museum.
"But you can't get blood from a stone.
"We don't want to make these cuts but the Government has forced us into this situation.
"I am disappointed by the news about possible strike action as we have done all we can."
The measures also include closing the History Centre in Worship Street, city centre, on Saturdays for the foreseeable future.
The changes are expected to see four posts being scrapped over the next 12 months.
