V&A Museums Open for Half-Term After Staff Suspend Strike

The Victoria and Albert Museum has reopened all its London sites for the half-term holiday after union members suspended a planned strike. The walkout, which was set for Thursday and Friday, would have closed the main galleries in south Kensington as well as V&A East, V&A Storehouse, and Young V&A in east London. Management called off the action on Monday following an improved wage offer.

Members of the Prospect and Public and Commercial Services unions originally voted to strike in July. Their demands include a 4% pay rise for staff earning above the living wage and for the museum to become an accredited London living-wage employer within 12 months. The unions also seek time-and-a-half pay for bank holiday work and better conditions during heatwaves.

A spokesperson for the V&A confirmed that all museums will remain open this week. The museum stated that its latest offer provides an average 4.18% pay increase. The lowest-paid staff will see a 6.9% rise. The proposal also includes a sector-leading bonus scheme and a subsidized food option for employees at all sites.

PCS issued a statement on Monday confirming the suspension of the strikes scheduled for 29 and 30 October. The union said it is pausing the walkout to allow talks facilitated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to proceed. Prospect and the V&A both confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.

The dispute has already resulted in two separate two-day strikes in September. In July, a V&A spokesperson said the museum had introduced extensive measures to help staff during hot weather. These measures included additional rest breaks and closing certain galleries during the hottest parts of the day. The unions argue that food quality at the east London sites also needs improvement.

Paula Lamont, national secretary for Prospect, said the union will enter the talks in good faith. She expressed hope that the parties can resolve the dispute. Earlier this month, Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy criticized V&A director Tristram Hunt for not participating directly in the negotiations. Clancy, a former Labour MP, stated that Hunt’s absence showed disdain for the dedicated staff who make the museum a world-class attraction.

The London living wage currently stands at £15.45 an hour. The V&A states that all its staff are paid at least this rate. However, some outsourced contractors are not paid the living wage. V&A Dundee, which is not part of this dispute, is an accredited living-wage employer.