Museum staff strike over £1,500 payments claim

20th February 2024

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Staff at National Museums Liverpool are striking after a vote received a 94% yes vote to industrial action.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) decided to take action with the union claiming that National Museums Liverpool have failed to make a £1,500 payment to staff in aid of the cost of living crisis.

The demonstration began today at 8.30am outside the Museum of Liverpool at the Albert Dock and concluded at 11.30am, with more action at other sites organised for this week.

Last year thousands of PCS members went on strike which resulted in the agreement of a one-off payment, but National Museums Liverpool is currently the only employer which has refused to pay their staff, the union claims.

To combat the disappointment of kids missing out on visiting the museums over half-term, the union has organised a series of events this week so people still have something to attend.

A Scouse disco is taking place tomorrow, while games on the pier on Thursday and a life drawing event will be available for visitors on Friday.

The strike action is set to continue until April 14 if a resolution is not achieved.

we want to be in open discussion with our striking colleagues

Laura Pye, director of National Museums Liverpool, said: “It is deeply regrettable that we’ve not been able to prevent this situation.

“A lot has been said, and continues to be said, about the reason the PCS union has chosen to take this action and, whilst we have communicated that we don’t agree with some of it, we want to be in open discussion with our striking colleagues to find a solution, so that we can welcome them back and reopen all our sites as soon as we can.

“Ultimately, making a one-off payment of £1,500 on top of what we’ve implemented and committed, is simply unaffordable to us as an organisation, and would threaten the long-term sustainability of your museums and galleries.”

Watch Amy Coulson’s roundup of the strikes on TikTok here: