V&A museum walkout paused as unions consider improved pay package
V&A staff strikes planned for 29 and 30 October have been suspended after management made an improved pay offer. Prospect and PCS agreed to Acas-facilitated talks, meaning the museum’s London sites will remain open during half-term while negotiations continue.
The unions are seeking a 4% rise for staff earning above the living wage, accreditation as a London living-wage employer within 12 months, and time-and-a-half for bank holiday work. They also want better heatwave arrangements and food at east London sites; the V&A says its latest offer includes an average 4.18% rise, a 6.9% increase for its lowest-paid staff, higher bank holiday pay and subsidised food. The London living wage is £15.45 an hour, and two earlier two-day strikes took place in September.
In short
- Planned V&A strikes on 29 and 30 October are suspended.
- Acas-facilitated talks will follow an improved pay offer.
- London sites will stay open during half-term.
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The case for
The unions can argue that staff deserve pay and conditions that keep pace with living costs, especially when the museum depends on their work to serve visitors. Securing London living-wage accreditation, fairer bank holiday pay and practical support during heatwaves would provide clear standards and recognise the demands of working across multiple sites. Suspending strikes while talks proceed gives negotiations a chance to resolve these issues without disrupting half-term visits.
The case against
The museum can argue that its improved offer—an average 4.18% rise, a larger increase for its lowest-paid staff, higher bank holiday pay and subsidised food—makes meaningful progress while balancing staff needs against its budget. Management may reasonably want to settle the remaining details through talks, including how and when living-wage accreditation can be achieved, rather than commit in advance to every union demand. Keeping the sites open during half-term also protects visitors’ access and the museum’s operations while negotiations continue.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Unions suspend planned V&A strike after improved pay offer”.