V&A staff vote to strike over 'Amazon-style' conditions and pay dispute
Employees at the V&A East Storehouse, along with three other V&A locations in London, have decided to strike due to concerns over pay and working conditions. According to the union Prospect, collections access officers are not given sufficient break time, likening their situation to 'Amazon-style' environments. At the Stratford storehouse, an impressive 88% of members participated in the vote, with unanimous support for the strike. Prospect is calling for two paid 15-minute breaks and a minimum pay raise of 4%. Overall, 83% of voters across all sites favored the strike, with an 82% turnout. Meanwhile, over 300 staff from the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) are also voting on strike action related to pay talks. A spokesperson for V&A mentioned that discussions are still in progress, including a proposed 3.6% pay increase and improved access to water and breaks.
Key facts
- Prospect union members at V&A East Storehouse voted 100% in favor of strike action.
- Collections access officers are denied morning or afternoon breaks, affecting hydration and toilet access.
- 83% of Prospect members across four V&A London sites voted for strike action.
- Prospect demands two paid 15-minute breaks, a 4% pay increase, and London Living Wage accreditation.
- PCS union is balloting over 300 staff for strike action, with ballot open from July 23 to August 20.
- PCS claims V&A management refuses to negotiate better pay for Band 6 and above workers.
- PCS reports workers cannot carry water at V&A East Storehouse and gallery assistants work in extreme heat.
- V&A spokesperson says all staff have access to water, toilets, and breaks, with water fountains on every floor.
Entities
Institutions
- V&A East Storehouse
- V&A South Kensington
- V&A East Museum
- Young V&A
- Prospect
- Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- The Guardian
- The Art Newspaper
- V&A
- V&A Storehouse
- V&A East
- V&A Dundee
- Public and Commercial Services union
Locations
- London
- Stratford
- United Kingdom
- east London
- V&A Storehouse
- V&A South Kensington
- V&A Dundee