Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union who work at the British Museum are set to strike for seven days over the coming Easter weekend.
The latest in a series of strikes by British Museum workers who are members of the PCS Union is set to take place between 6-12 April 2023.
It is the latest in a series of strikes over pay which has seen disruption to the museum’s operations in recent months.
In early February, union member staff took part in a one-day nationwide public sector strike which forced museums including the British Museum to close.
In mid-February a separate, week-long strike led to the museum to cancel its planned programme of half-term events and activities.
British Museum cancels half-term events activities amid staff strike
Last week, during the announcement of the Spring Budget, another nationwide strike took place with workers from the British Museum, Wallace Collection, DCMS, National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Library of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and National Museums Scotland taking part.
The PCS Union said the fresh wave of strikes, which will also take place at Passport Offices, and the Home Office, are a “significant escalation of our dispute over pay, pensions, redundancy terms and job security”.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Ministers have had meetings with other unions but, in six months, have had no meaningful talks with us – our members are fed up with being at the back of the queue.
“Because of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, their pay has effectively gone backwards during this time, so it’s no wonder they’re taking more strike action.
“And I can warn ministers that even more strikes will follow unless they engage with us and put money on the table.
“I’m often asked if our members can afford to strike. At this moment in time the answer is simple: they can’t afford not to.”
In February, British Museum Director Hartwig Fischer said of the strikes: “I respect my colleagues’ right to take this action, but I am disappointed that the British Museum is being made a focal point for a dispute about wider public sector terms and conditions which are beyond its control.”
