More than 400 employees at the Canadian War Museum and Museum of Civilization in Ottawa-Gatineau walked off the job Monday morning.

Talks broke down Friday between the crown corporation that runs the museums and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the curators, guides and other striking employees.

The corporation said it hopes to keep both museums open to the public during the strike.

Cédric St-Amour, who works in the human resources department at the Museum of Civilization, says workers are demanding protection in a system that relies too heavily on contracts.

"There's a lot of contracting out, but also a lot of museum employees run on contracts and they can do so for up to 10-12 years," St-Amour said.

"But they're never museum employees. So, they get a three year contract, for example, but then they get a break in service."

The two groups had been working since April to come to an agreement.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation said it has offered workers enhanced job security and a wage increase of about 15 per cent over four years.

Workers, however, have said that the contracting situation needs to be addressed.

"Well, there's not much stability there," said St-Amour.