Hundreds of tourists queued outside the Louvre as a union vote on continuing a strike over working conditions delayed the museum’s opening.
PARIS: Hundreds of tourists queued outside the Louvre Museum on Wednesday as its opening was delayed while unions voted on continuing a strike.
The world’s most visited museum had closed its doors to thousands of disappointed visitors on Monday after workers went on strike.
Security guards told visitors hoping to enter the museum that they did not know if it would open.
After the state-run institution’s usual closure on Tuesday, visitors crowded the courtyard in the cold to enter the top Paris tourist site.
Spanish tourist Jose Ibanez had been waiting for an hour at the head of the queue.
“I have three days in Paris, I would love to visit the Louvre but if it’s not possible I understand their demands,” he said.
The union action comes as the museum leadership faces intense scrutiny over the running of the institution.
This follows an embarrassing daylight robbery in October that saw thieves make off with jewels worth USD 102 million.
The incident also highlighted discontent among the 2,200-strong workforce.
Union representatives say they have been warning for years about staff shortages and disrepair inside the former royal palace.
Around 400 employees voted unanimously to strike during a meeting on Monday.
Protesting workers said they were “angry” over management of the museum.
Some visitors anxious to gain entry voiced disappointment but were resigned.
“It’s frustrating, right, because we’ve come all the way from Canada, and we’ve come early, you try to make sure that you’re doing everything correct,” said 41-year-old Jesse Henry, a mechanic visiting with his family.
“But I also understand that it’s a demonstration.”
