Industrial action in Liverpool’s cultural sector is looming after the city’s museum authority announced yesterday a one-day closure of all sites to discuss redundancies with staff.

In response to the closures on April 24, public service union PCS is calling for a city-wide mobilisation to halt the cuts which have already claimed 94 jobs.

National Museums Liverpool (NML) is planning to axe a further 37 jobs and says its budget from central government has been cut by 28 per cent since 2010.

The union is currently engaged in negotiations with museum bosses about the funding crisis and says it will oppose any compulsory redundancies.

It warns that cuts planned for 2015/6 could mean that some venues may be open at weekends only or closed completely.

PCS culture sector president Clara Paillard said: “Our valuable cultural assets are being cut to the bone by a vicious and economically illiterate government.

“Further cuts on top of those already imposed since 2010 will damage not only staff, visitors and collections but also the wider local economy where £6 is generated for every £1 invested in arts and culture.

“We call for all the people of Merseyside to support us and our forthcoming campaign to establish a rescue plan for the Liverpool museums.”

NML said job losses will continue to be managed through voluntary redundancy schemes.

A NML statement said: “National Museums Liverpool has seen cost-cutting across the organisation.

“This includes a reduction in activity across all venues with dozens of projects and programmes shelved.

“Things we cannot do is sell collections or introduce admission charges as this is not allowed by central government.”