More than 300 workers at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) are balloting for strike action, citing concerns over pay, soaring temperatures, and restricted access to drinking water. The ballot, launched by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) on 23 July, covers four V&A sites in London: South Kensington, V&A East Museum and V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, and Young V&A in Bethnal Green.
Heatwave conditions spark industrial action
The ballot is believed to be one of the first to focus on workplace conditions during a heatwave, amid a summer of extraordinarily high temperatures. The union is calling for management to close public areas when temperatures exceed 30°C, introduce heat mitigation for back-of-house workers, and allow staff at V&A East Storehouse to carry and drink water while working near exhibits.
Currently, staff at the Storehouse must wait for a colleague to relieve them before leaving to get a drink. The union argues this is unsafe, especially during heatwaves. The V&A has stated that all staff have access to water, toilet facilities, and regular breaks, and that it closed several galleries and Young V&A on 11 days during the peak of the heatwave.
Pay and living wage demands
The PCS is also demanding a minimum 4% pay increase and for the V&A to become an accredited London living wage employer. The current London living wage is £14.80 per hour. While the V&A confirms all direct staff are paid at least this rate, some outsourced contractors are not. The museum says it will review accreditation later this year. V&A Dundee, which is not part of the ballot, is already an accredited living wage employer.
Nick Marro, PCS culture secretary, said: “PCS members at the V&A are balloting for strike action because enough is enough. Management refuses to let staff carry or drink water while they work, refuses to become a London living wage accredited employer. At the same time, it claims it cannot afford a decent pay rise for staff. This is an employer that is failing the very people who keep one of Britain’s most prestigious museums running. It’s unfair, it’s unsafe and our members are prepared to fight back.”
Employer response and ongoing negotiations
The V&A has been in negotiations with trade unions since February. A spokesperson said: “Our offer sees a 3.6% increase in the overall pay bill, an above-inflation pay award as a minimum and 6.9% increase for our lowest-paid colleagues. As always, we have maintained our longstanding commitment to paying at least the London living wage.”
The museum also noted that during the heatwave, it implemented additional rest breaks, increased staff rotations across gallery spaces, and closed several galleries at South Kensington and Young V&A on 11 days. For safety of national collections, food and drink are not permitted during Order an Object appointments at V&A East Storehouse, and visitors are accompanied by staff.
The Prospect trade union is also balloting members for strike action over pay and conditions, with its ballot closing on 29 July. The PCS ballot outcome will determine whether strike action proceeds.
