The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum charity is considering a voluntary exit scheme to reduce costs as its workers hold strike action today over an ongoing pay dispute.
A spokesperson for the charity told Civil Society that rising operating costs, driven by inflation, economic uncertainty and reduced visitor spending, were putting pressure on its finances.
“While we continue to receive government support, below-inflation settlements mean a real-terms reduction in funding over the coming years,” a spokesperson said.
“As a result, our organisational strategy for 2026-30 is underpinned by a cautious approach to financial planning and we’re exploring a wide range of measures to reduce costs, including launching a voluntary exit scheme.”
Last week, trade unions the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Prospect announced that their members at V&A’s flagship South Kensington site would strike on 25 and 26 September.
The latest industrial action forms part of a dispute over pay and working conditions and follows previous strikes at the charity’s satellite sites – V&A Storehouse, V&A East and Young V&A – on 4 and 5 September.
In response to a potential voluntary exit scheme, PCS said: “The union is concerned that reducing staffing levels will place additional pressure on remaining workers, with some teams potentially unable to absorb further cuts without affecting working conditions and service delivery.
“PCS is calling on management to protect members’ jobs.”
Reduced services during strikes
Through the unions, V&A staff members are asking for an increased pay offer, for the charity to become a real living wage accredited employer and for it to pay staff 1.5 times their normal rate for working on bank holidays.
They are calling for a cross-site policy to close public spaces when temperatures reach 30 degrees to protect staff and visitors and discuss appropriate heat mitigation measures for back-of-house staff.
In a statement, the V&A said it “deeply regrets” the unions’ decision to hold this week’s strikes and that it would be offering a “reduced visitor offer” as a result.
“We’ve been negotiating with them in good faith since February and have met the majority of their demands with a significantly improved offer, which we believe is fair, competitive and affordable.
“We remain available for negotiations with our trade union colleagues.”
The charity previously said that although it is not an accredited real living wage employer, its employees are paid the London living wage and have been for many years.
“Extensive measures were also in place to support our staff during this summer’s heatwaves, ranging from additional rest breaks to closing several galleries at V&A South Kensington and closing Young V&A altogether during the peak of the heatwave,” it added.
