Overview
- Prospect members at the V&A voted in favour of strike action on July 29, with Storehouse staff recording 100% support on about 88% turnout and 83% support across the museum’s four London sites on an 82% turnout.
- Collections access officers at the V&A East Storehouse say the ‘order an object’ system and strict no-food-or-drink rules force them to stay with requested items and limit opportunities for toilet or water breaks.
- Prospect is demanding two paid 15-minute breaks per shift, a minimum 4% pay rise for staff paid above the London Living Wage, time-and-a-half for bank holidays, London Living Wage accreditation within 12 months, and better food provision at V&A East.
- The V&A says it has been negotiating with unions since February, has offered a 3.6% increase to the overall pay bill and 6.9% for the lowest-paid staff, and maintains that staff have access to water, toilets and regular breaks.
- A separate PCS ballot of more than 300 V&A workers remains open until August 20 and could extend industrial action if it returns a strike mandate, leaving strike dates undecided.