As negotiations continue at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), unionized staff have publicized their intent to strike across all four London sites on October 29 and 30, citing continued disputes regarding pay and working conditions. The escalation comes after two strike actions at specific locations at the beginning and end of September.
Born from accusations of “Amazon-style” working conditions at the newly opened V&A East Storehouse — namely the alleged lack of sufficient breaks for hydration and restroom use — staff organized under Prospect Union’s heritage division and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action this summer.
“Prospect members are dedicated to their jobs, and it is these dedicated staff who make the museum the world-class attraction it is,” said Prospect Union's general secretary, Mike Clancy, in a press statement. Clancy also accused V&A Director Tristram Hunt of refusing to participate in negotiations with the unions, “show[ing] the level of disdain in which he holds his staff.”
Both unions are also seeking minimum pay increases of 4% across the board, as well as an additional bump to bring the minimum hourly wage for the lowest-paid staff to £14.80 (~$20), which would make the V&A a Real London Living Wage accredited employer.