Museum staff strike over pay and heatwave working conditions

Staff at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and Royal Museums Greenwich have voted to strike over pay, working conditions, and dignity at work. The industrial action follows a record-breaking heatwave that highlighted inadequate facilities for employees.

At the V&A East Storehouse, workers reported limited access to drinking water and restroom breaks during extreme temperatures. Because food and drink are typically prohibited near historical collections to prevent damage, staff on gallery floors have struggled to stay hydrated. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Prospect have demanded that galleries close when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius and that heat mitigation measures be implemented for behind-the-scenes staff.

Unions have criticized V&A Director Tristram Hunt for his absence from contract negotiations, describing his refusal to meet with workers as ‘shocking’ and ‘disrespectful’. While the museum maintains that negotiations have been conducted in good faith and has recently updated its paid break policy, unions continue to push for better pay and improved working conditions.