V&A workers ballot for strike over pay and heatwave conditions
Over 300 employees across four V&A locations in London are voting on potential strike action regarding pay and conditions during the heatwave. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) initiated the ballot on July 23, highlighting issues such as high temperatures, inadequate drinking water access, and compensation. The union is requesting a minimum pay rise of 4%, a guideline to shut public spaces when temperatures surpass 30C, heat relief measures for back-of-house staff, and authorization for V&A East Storehouse employees to carry and consume water while on duty. Additionally, PCS insists that the V&A should achieve accreditation as a London living wage employer, currently set at £14.80 per hour. While the V&A claims all staff earn at least this wage, some outsourced workers do not. The museum proposed a 3.6% overall pay increase, with a 6.9% raise for the lowest-paid workers. The Prospect union is also conducting a ballot, which will conclude on July 29. The V&A has stated its commitment to staff safety, having closed Young V&A for 11 days during the heatwave's peak.
Key facts
- Over 300 workers at four V&A sites in London are balloting for strike action.
- The PCS union launched the strike ballot on 23 July.
- Concerns include soaring temperatures, access to drinking water, and pay.
- Union demands a minimum 4% pay increase and closure of public areas above 30C.
- Union calls for V&A to become an accredited London living wage employer.
- Current London living wage is £14.80 an hour.
- V&A says all staff are paid at least the London living wage, but some contractors are not.
- V&A offered a 3.6% increase in overall pay bill, with 6.9% for lowest-paid staff.
- Prospect trade union is also balloting members, closing on 29 July.
- V&A closed Young V&A on 11 days during the peak of the heatwave.
Entities
Institutions
- V&A
- V&A East
- V&A East Storehouse
- Young V&A
- V&A South Kensington
- V&A Dundee
- Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Prospect trade union
- The Guardian
Locations
- London
- South Kensington
- Stratford
- Bethnal Green
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- East London
- Dundee