English
Workers at all four sites of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London have announced a two-day strike for October 29 and 30. Staff represented by Prospect Union’s heritage division and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) say pay negotiations have stalled. They also allege unsafe and degrading working conditions at the museum’s newly opened V&A East Storehouse.
A Dispute That Has Been Building for Months
The planned walkout follows two earlier strikes in September. At that time, workers at three V&A locations walked out over similar concerns. The museum responded by closing all three sites preemptively, describing the decision as “difficult.”
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Staff at the V&A East Storehouse, a publicly accessible storage facility in East London, voted unanimously in July to strike. Workers claim they are not given enough time to use the bathroom or drink water during shifts. Prospect Union says the museum has refused what it calls an “extremely reasonable request” for two paid breaks per day.
Prospect’s general secretary, Mike Clancy, said in a press statement that dedicated staff are the reason the museum is a world-class attraction. He also accused V&A Director Tristram Hunt of refusing to negotiate with unions. Clancy said this refusal “shows the level of disdain in which he holds his staff.”
Disputed Claims Over Working Conditions
The V&A strongly denies the allegations about conditions at the Storehouse. A museum spokesperson told ARTnews that all staff have access to water, toilet facilities, and regular breaks. The spokesperson also noted that neither staff nor visitors may bring food or drinks near the collection.
However, PCS disputes this. The union claims that several Storehouse employees have fainted because of a ban on carrying even sealed water bottles into the storage area. PCS also says the facility’s water fountains are regularly out of order. Furthermore, the union alleges that food and drink have been served in the collections hall during private events. Members reportedly found empty beer bottles in the area the day after one such event.
Pay Demands at the Heart of the Dispute
Beyond working conditions, the unions have put forward a clear set of pay demands. They want the V&A to become a Real London Living Wage-accredited employer. This accreditation would guarantee all staff an hourly wage reflecting London’s cost of living, currently set at £14.80 (approximately $20).
In addition, unions are calling for a minimum 4% pay increase for workers already earning above the living wage. They also want time and a half pay for bank holiday work. On top of that, they are demanding better cooling in back-of-house areas and shaded outdoor spaces whenever temperatures reach 30°C (86°F) or above.
The V&A says it has negotiated in good faith since February. The museum told ARTnews its latest offer includes a 4.18% average pay rise and a 6.9% increase for the lowest-paid staff. It also told Hyperallergic that all staff already receive at least the London Living Wage and that a review of accreditation is underway. The museum also confirmed it agreed to a 50% pay premium for bank holiday work.
PCS, however, says the dispute remains unresolved. According to the union, most employees have only received a 3.25% base pay offer, not the higher figure cited by the museum. PCS also says the V&A is “refusing to become London Living Wage accredited.”
Unions Call for Meaningful Action
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote called on the museum’s leadership to act. “Staff deserve fair pay, safe working conditions and respect,” she said. “We urge the V&A to make meaningful progress and resolve this dispute.”
As the October strike dates approach, both sides remain at odds. The V&A has not indicated whether it plans to close its sites again in response. Workers across all four museum locations are preparing to walk out unless the museum addresses their concerns.
