A mining museum charity has said it will need to make efficiency savings after agreeing a pay deal for staff to end a long-running dispute.
Unison Yorkshire and Humberside last week announced that strike action at the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield had ended after staff voted to accept a pay offer.
The charity, which spent £65,174 on staff costs in the most recent financial year to 31 March 2025, an increase from £47,345 the year prior, has been subject to industrial action, which the union said had been "continuous" since 20 August last year.
This came after the Charity Commission opened a compliance case into the mining museum to assess governance and management concerns.
Its most recent accounts revealed the charity employed an average of 109 people last year, more than 40 of whom went on strike, according to Unison.
Unison said the improved pay deal would result in worker wages increasing by 10.5%, so mine guides would see an increase from £12.86 to £14.21 an hour.
In a statement, the charity’s chief executive Lynn Dunning and chair Phil Marshall said the museum was “delighted” the strikes were over after “extensive negotiations”.
“A pay agreement has been reached that sits within the charity’s financial parameters and helps to secure the long-term sustainability.
“The museum is delighted that visitors will once again be able to enjoy underground tours, in due course,” they said.
The charity confirmed the 10.5% pay offer for all staff, adding that those on the real living wage had been moved to £13.45 per hour since 1 April.
“This is significantly higher than the agreed budget and funds available so will have to be funded through efficiencies,” the charity added.
The charity had a total income of £4.43m in its most recent financial year, below its expenditure of £4.56m.
Timeline of strike action
Rianne Hooley, Unison Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser, criticised the charity despite the resolution.
“It’s fantastic news that these dedicated workers can return to what they love doing […] it’s just a shame this deal has taken so long to reach,” she said.
“Staff have been keen to explore different options to get the dispute resolved, but have continually been met with resistance.”
The charity initially offered a 5% pay rise for all staff in March 2025, which Unison rejected.
Unison then proposed a 5% or £1 per hour increase for all staff, whichever was greater. It said the charity agreed to this in June, only to pull out 11 days later.
The union then said the charity offered an 80p uplift per hour or 5% for all workers, which was rejected, prompting strike action on 20 August, which has now ended.
