Museum workers strike over pay offer

Finance | Celina Ribeiro | 17 Jun 2008

Museum staff across the country have picketed their museums as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.

Staff at the Science Museums in London (pictured) and Swindon, the National Railway Museum in York and Bradford’s National Media Museum walked out on Friday 13 June in protest at what they claim is a real-terms pay decrease offer from the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI), which operates all four establishments.

The NMSI offered workers a pay increase of 3 per cent in 2007-08 and 2.7 per cent over 2008-09. However, the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) argues that delays in the pay offer means that workers will receive less than the 3 per cent increase over the two years.

Prospect, whose members participated in the strike alongside PCS members, described the offer as “insulting”.

“Strike action is not a step our members take lightly but faced with pitiful pay levels and real-term pay cuts, hardworking staff have taken the decision to make a stand,” said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.

Starting salaries for NMSI workers begin at £11,342 per annum.

Separate dispute at London Museum

Friday’s industrial action followed a similar strike at the London Museum on the preceding Monday. While a separate dispute, the strike was again prompted by workers’ concerns over below-inflation pay increases from government bodies.

“Museum staff along with other civil and public servants have grown increasingly frustrated with the government’s policy of below-inflation pay which is driving down the living standards of a diverse and dedicated workforce,” said Serwotka.

“The government needs to rethink its draconian pay policy.”

Who's Who: Celina Ribeiro

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