Workers at the Victoria and Albert Museum are being balloted for strike action over pay, high temperatures and access to drinking water, in what is thought to be one of the first such disputes to focus on workplace conditions during a heatwave. More than 300 staff across four V&A sites in London – South Kensington, V&A East Museum, V&A East Storehouse and Young V&A – are taking part, raising concerns for one of Britain's leading art and design institutions amid this summer's extreme heat.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) launched the ballot on 23 July, citing a minimum 4% pay rise demand alongside calls for public areas to close when temperatures exceed 30C, heat mitigation for back-of-house staff, and permission for Storehouse workers to carry and drink water rather than wait to be relieved. The union also wants the V&A to become an accredited London living wage employer, noting that while the museum pays all staff at least the current rate of £14.80 an hour, some outsourced contractors do not, and accreditation is only due to be reviewed later this year. The Prospect union is separately balloting members over similar concerns, with its vote closing on 29 July.