Louvre Museum Hit by Strike After Workers Vote to Walk Out

Paris's Louvre Museum, home to the iconic "Mona Lisa," faced further disruption on Monday as workers voted to strike, citing concerns over working conditions. This action follows an October jewelry theft that had already put the museum under scrutiny.

The CFDT union reported that the strike decision was made during a Monday morning meeting attended by 400 employees. Striking workers, displaying flags and signs, subsequently blocked access to the museum's famous glass pyramid entrance.

The Louvre, usually teeming with visitors, was forced to close its doors. A notice on the museum's website confirmed the "exceptional" closure for the day, assuring ticket holders they would receive refunds.

Lindsey Hall, a visitor from Sacramento, California, expressed her disappointment, stating she had eagerly anticipated experiencing the museum's vast art and artifact collection. She described the Louvre as an essential experience for everyone.

Union leaders said the strike was triggered by unresolved issues regarding staffing and funding, despite discussions held last week with government officials, including Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

Alexis Fritche, the CFDT union's culture wing general secretary, described visiting the Louvre as increasingly difficult due to these issues.

The jewelry heist, in which a four-man team stole $102 million worth of jewels, heightened existing employee concerns about security and working conditions. The thieves used a basket lift to access the building, broke through a window, smashed display cases, and stole French crown jewels. A Senate inquiry revealed the thieves narrowly escaped due to broken cameras, outdated equipment, understaffed control rooms, and police dispatch errors.

The CFDT released a statement outlining employee demands, including increased staffing for security and visitor services, improved working conditions, stable long-term budgets, and leadership that values staff input.

Yvan Navarro, from the CGT union, pointed out that staffing levels have declined even as visitor numbers have risen.

Navarro stated that while visitor numbers and prices increase, staff salaries and numbers do not, inevitably leading to "a day of anger."

Union leaders indicated that the strike vote was unanimous. The duration of the strike remains uncertain, with employees potentially meeting again on Wednesday to decide whether to continue or return to work. The Louvre is closed every Tuesday.

In a notice to Dati last week, the CFDT, CGT, and Sud unions described the Louvre as being in "crisis" due to insufficient resources and worsening working conditions.

The Culture Ministry announced on Sunday that Philippe Jost, who oversaw the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral, will lead a reorganization effort at the Louvre, based on the findings of an administrative inquiry. Jost is expected to provide recommendations by the end of February, collaborating with Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who previously called the heist a "terrible failure."