Staff across the Tate galleries have delivered a powerful mandate for industrial action, overwhelmingly voting to strike in a dispute over pay that threatens to disrupt major exhibitions in the lead-up to the festive season.
Overwhelming Vote for Strike Action
In a ballot conducted by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, a staggering 98% of members voted for strike action on a turnout of more than 87%. This decisive result means that over 150 workers at Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives will walk out from 26 November to 2 December.
The dispute centres on a pay offer from Tate management of a salary increase of between 2% and 3%. The PCS union has branded this offer as "inadequate", citing the current climate of soaring living costs and what it describes as "endemic low pay" within the institution.
Wider Grievances and Institutional Context
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote did not mince words, stating, "With many Tate directors receiving six-figure pay packages and five-figure bonuses while staff are condemned to in-work poverty, it is no wonder we have seen such an overwhelming vote for strike action." She labelled the pay proposal "insulting".
The union's demands extend beyond an inflation-busting pay rise. They are also calling for the reinstatement of staff benefits, such as a staff canteen and subsidised meals. A further point of contention is Tate's decision to withdraw access to the civil service pension scheme for new starters from 2021.
This industrial action comes after a difficult period for the gallery group, which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of Tate Modern. Earlier restructuring led to 40 roles being cut to address a pandemic-related funding deficit.
Potential Impact on Major Exhibitions
The timing of the strike poses a significant operational challenge for Tate. It is set to begin just one day before the high-profile opening of "Turner & Constable: Rivals & Originals" at Tate Britain on 27 November. If a resolution is not found, the disruption could extend into the new year, potentially affecting Tracey Emin's forthcoming show at Tate Modern, scheduled to open in February.
A Tate spokesperson defended the pay offer, explaining that "careful savings" had been made this year to invest in staff pay while achieving a balanced budget. They noted that most roles would receive a 3% increase, with those on the lowest three pay bands all included, while directors were taking a 0% increase to help balance overall costs.
The situation at Tate reflects broader turbulence within the UK's cultural sector. The Royal Shakespeare Company is encouraging voluntary redundancies to plug a multi-million pound shortfall, and staff at the British Library, also represented by PCS, have recently been on strike over pay and conditions.
