THERE was a very loud and lively picket outside the Young Victoria and Albert Museum in Bethnal Green east London yesterday, with chants of: ‘Fair Pay today at the V&A!’ resounding down the High St.
They are holding a second day of strike action today, warning that further strike action will be announced shortly.
Striking Prospect and PCS union members were handing out leaflets explaining their demands:
Museum Staff deserve:
- Minimum 4% pay rise for staff above Band 7;
- 6.9% uplift to maintain London Living Wage at the bottom of Band 7;
- 1.5% pay for Bank Holiday working;
- London Living Wage accreditation within 12 months;
- A clear plan to improve food provision at East sites.
Striker Nora told News Line: ‘I think this action is very important.
‘I love working here and I want to be able to continue working here with better pay.
‘All the unions should come together and support each other.’
There was a lively picket of around 50 PCS members at the V&A East Storehouse at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.
The V&A East Storehouse has over half a million artefacts that you can examine.
It’s a working museum where the public has a right to access the artefacts.
Nick Marrow, PCS Culture Group Secretary, told News Line: ‘Our members are on strike for fair pay, safe working conditions, and basic dignity.
‘PCS have been asking the V&A to become a London Living Wage Accredited employer for years, but yet they have refused to do so.
‘Meanwhile, the staff and middle pay bands have been asked to tolerate years of wage restraint.
‘And then finally our members at the storehouse are not allowed to carry water while they work.
‘Our members are fed up with it and that’s why they’re prepared to take action.’
