COUNCIL staff at three of Southampton’s most popular tourist attractions are on strike this weekend in a row over wages.

Southampton’s City Art Gallery, Maritime Museum and the Museum of Archaeology will all remain closed today and tomorrow.

The row is over a demand by the council’s Tory bosses that eight staff at the three attractions work Sundays as part of their contractual hours, rather than as overtime. Under the proposals, they will also no longer receive pay enhancements on Saturdays.

City leisure chief Councillor John Hannides said the move would save “tens of thousands of pounds” and allow the gallery and museums to remain open seven days a week. Currently, the attractions close on Mondays.

Unite union leader Matthew Tipper said staff had been instructed to work to rule, meaning the gallery and museums would remain shut every Sunday and Monday until the dispute is resolved.