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Workers at one of the world’s leading art museums are voting to take action to strike.
Voting to V&A It is happening due to concerns about rising temperatures and access to drinking water, as well as wages and conditions.
More than 300 staff across four V&A sites London – the museum in South Kensington, the V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, and the Young V&A in Bethnal Green – are taking part in the voting.
The V&A, founded in 1852 after The Great Showis described as “a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity”. Its mission is to “encourage creativity and design for all”.
Voting is set for the summer of incredibly hot and is thought to be one of the first to raise workplace concerns during the climate crisis.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) called the vote on 23 July due to “serious and unresolved concerns affecting museum staff”.
While wage rates are an issue, with calls for a 4% minimum wage increase, the union has also raised concerns about heat and access to drinking water.
It wants management to introduce a policy to close all four areas when the temperature exceeds 30C, introduce measures to reduce the temperature of staff in the building, and allow staff at the V&A East Storehouse to carry and drink water while working in the exhibition area, rather than waiting for another staff member to come and refresh them when they go to drink.
The agreement also calls for the V&A to become an organisation Authorized employer in London. Current London wages are £14.80 per hour. The V&A has confirmed that all its staff are paid at least this amount. However, some of the contracts made outside the museum are not on the receipt of the living wage and the V&A has not yet been approved for recruitment, although it is said that this will be reviewed later this year.
V&A Dundee, which was not part of the vote, is an accredited employer.
Nick Marro, PCS culture secretary, said: “PCS members at the V&A are voting to go on strike because enough is enough.” The management refuses to allow the workers to carry or drink water while they are working, refusing to be a legal employer in London.
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“However, it says that it cannot afford to raise decent wages for workers.” This is the boss who is failing to work with the people who run one of Britain’s most prestigious museums.
The Prospect trade union is also there voting members on strike at the V&A over pay and conditions concerns. Voting closes on 29 July.
A spokesperson for the V&A said: “The V&A has been in talks with the staff since February and these talks are ongoing. Our offer sees a 3.6% increase in total wages, an inflation-adjusted award and an increase of 6.9%.
“The safety and well-being of our staff is of the utmost importance to the V&A – all our staff have access to water and sanitation and to rest at all times while working.” Additional measures were put in place to support our staff during the heatwave, from extended breaks, increased staff rotation across the museum, closing many buildings at the V&A South Kensington and closing the Young V&A on hot days.
“To ensure the safety and security of the country’s collections, on time Add Item during a visit to the V&A East Storehouse, food and drink are not permitted and visitors are accompanied by V&A staff at their designated time. “
