Royal Museums Greenwich workers vote to strike over pay and working conditions
The strike will occur on 11 and 12 August as Prospect union pledges to step up industrial action across the heritage sector this summer
Staff at Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) have voted to strike on August 11 and 12, aiming to secure better pay and working conditions. Prospect union, representing RMG workers, stated that 77% of the 90% turnout voted in favor of industrial action. The dispute follows earlier strikes by Prospect members at the V&A East Storehouse and other V&A London sites over similar concerns.
Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, emphasized that the heritage sector's workers have been underpaid and undervalued, and this summer, they will no longer tolerate it. RMG members are pursuing London Living Wage accreditation, paid breaks for security staff, fixed-term contract policies, and enhanced training. RMG claims they have been engaged in constructive negotiations with Prospect, resulting in a two-year pay settlement for 2026/27 and 2027/28.
However, they remain disappointed by the strike action, as it jeopardizes the public service provision. The museum aims to maximize digital opportunities and improve performance in its 2025-29 plan. Laurence des Cars, the director of Natural History, Science, and Victoria & Albert Museums—currently employed by an external contractor—will now receive a living wage.
V&A staff represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union are also contemplating industrial action.
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