The V&A has suspended a planned strike by museum staff after improving its pay offer, with unions agreeing to talks facilitated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The Prospect and Public and Commercial Services unions had voted to strike on 29 and 30 October, closing the V&A's main galleries in south Kensington, V&A East, V&A Storehouse and Young V&A in east London. The strike suspension came on Monday as management made concessions on wages and conditions.
The unions had been demanding a 4% pay increase for staff earning above the living wage, accreditation as a London living-wage employer within 12 months, and time-and-a-half pay for bank holiday working. They were also seeking improvements to working conditions during heatwaves and better food provision at the museum's east London sites. The dispute had previously led to two separate two-day strikes in September, and staff had initially voted to walk out in July over similar issues.
The V&A's new offer includes an average 4.18% pay rise and a 6.9% increase for its lowest-paid employees, increased bank holiday pay to 1.5 times the normal rate, a sector-leading bonus scheme and subsidised food for staff at all sites. Paula Lamont, Prospect's national secretary, said the union would enter talks in good faith, hoping to resolve the dispute. The V&A said all its museums would remain open this week, though some events may still be cancelled or postponed.
The London living wage now stands at £15.45 an hour. While the V&A has said all its staff are paid at least this rate, some of the museum's outsourced contractors are not. V&A Dundee, which is not involved in the dispute, is already an accredited living-wage employer.
The improved offer means visitors to the V&A can continue accessing exhibitions and half-term activities without disruption, while staff gain better pay and conditions through negotiations rather than industrial action.