V&A Workers Vote to Strike Over Pay and “Amazon-Style” Conditions

Workers at the V&A have voted to take industrial action in disputes over pay and working conditions across the museum’s London sites.

Collections access officers at the recently opened V&A East Storehouse voted unanimously in favour of strike action, with a turnout of nearly 88%. The workers, represented by Prospect, claim that demanding schedules leave them without sufficient time to use the toilet or drink water. The union is calling for two paid breaks per day, bringing their conditions in line with colleagues elsewhere in the organisation.

Prospect members across the wider V&A have also backed strike action. The union is seeking a minimum 4% pay rise for employees earning above the Living Wage, time-and-a-half pay for working on bank holidays, improved food provision at the V&A East sites and London Living Wage accreditation for the museum within 12 months.

The V&A has said that all staff have access to water, toilets and regular breaks. It has also stated that ongoing negotiations include a proposed 3.6% increase to the overall pay bill and a 6.9% rise for its lowest-paid employees.

The dates and details of industrial action across the V&A’s London sites have yet to be announced.

Source: Prospect.