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Over the past few years we’ve seen train strikes, junior doctors strikes, airport workers strikes and more. Now, security guards at some of London’s biggest museums have decided to take industrial action over pay and working conditions.
People are being urged not to visit the Science Museum, Natural History Museum or V&A (including Young V&A and V&A East) during February, as staff will carry out the ‘longest ever strike’ at the institutions. Around 100 workers, who are members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, are expected to walk out across the three museums. All of the striking workers are employed by Wilson James, an outsourced private security contractor.
The UVW called the action ‘unprecedented’ and ‘the longest strike in the history of all three institutions’. Staff are walking out to demand a pay increase, improved sick pay, and full parity with directly employed museum staff. The union is asking the public to show solidarity with workers by not attending the museums during the strike, which will go on throughout the whole of February.
Bayo Owolawbi, a security guard at the Science Museum and UVW representative said: ‘We have been ignored and treated with utter disdain for too long.
‘We have been undermined but we do not undermine ourselves. We are strong, united and we will work hard to get justice.’
A Wilson James spokesperson said: ‘At Wilson James, we place the highest value on our colleagues’ contributions to protecting and enhancing visitor experiences at the Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum.The safety of both our team members and the public are our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a respectful and fair working environment.
‘We offer competitive compensation and are committed to transparent negotiations with our recognised unions. While we acknowledge the demands put forward by UVW, we are seeking a resolution that balances fair pay with the need to remain financially responsible.
‘As a recognised service provider by the Living Wage Foundation, we continue to work to ensure that pay for our security colleagues remains reflective of the circumstances. Our most recent negotiations with our recognised trade unions secured a minimum pay increase of five per cent and brought pay rates in line with London Living Wage.
‘We respect the right to strike, whilst remaining confident that we will continue to deliver excellent service to the museums and their visitors throughout this period of industrial action. We are disappointed that UVW members have made the decision to undertake further action, however we are working diligently to minimise any disruption and ensure that visitors to the museums can continue to enjoy a safe and enriching experience.
‘We continue to engage with UVW, seeking to formalise a recognition agreement that will support finding a resolution that is fair for all.’
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