Despite a record-breaking surplus – the most successful in its 143-year history – the Natural History Museum’s security staff, organised by United Voices of the World, have been out on strike. The strike has had an enormous impact on staff morale, galvanising more workers to join the security guards’ example.
They are demanding a £16 an hour wage, as well as the right to be bought in house. Currently, they are employed via the agency Wilson James, who are denying them the right to holiday and sick pay.
The strike, which took place on Saturday, had a profound impact on visitor operations. It coincided with the busy half-term period, with the Exhibition Road entrance having to close multiple times throughout the day.
The brave security guards at the Science and Natural History Museums are on the picket line again tonight fighting for a decent wage! #UVWstrikes pic.twitter.com/LOL7UvgGxx
— United Voices of the World (@UVWunion) October 31, 2024
The Head of Visitor Experience came in on his day off (via his chauffeur-driven Bentley!) to try and calm the situation. They briefed staff that they are not to communicate with those striking!
Visitor Experience staff are stuck with pay below the London Living Wage, which fails to match the high cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities. These frontline workers welcome up to 20,000 visitors daily, ensuring their safety and comfort. Yet they face worsening conditions.
In the latest cost-cutting move, management removed water coolers from cloakrooms and information desks, replacing them with unsanitary plastic jugs that have developed mould and even algal blooms.
Amid relentless pressure to meet commercial targets, staff morale has hit an all-time low.
The executive board’s latest meagre offer of £13.15 per hour adds insult to injury. Meanwhile, NHM Director Doug Gurr, a former Amazon UK executive, earns over £180,000 a year – nearly seven times the average staff salary – all whilst only working part time.
Suffering under similarly dire pay and conditions, the Visitor Experience staff have not been cowed in showing their solidarity with security guards.
Visitor Experience staff have rejected, by an overwhelming 67% of balloted Prospect members, the pay offer of £13.15 an hour put forward by the executive board. The union’s plans to open negotiations with the Executive Board come November.
The general sentiment among the team is to take strike action, following the security guards’ example. That shows the effect one good example can have!
In the face of sky-high living costs, worsening conditions, and unrealistic commercial targets, we demand a proper pay rise, security guards bought in house, and real control over our working conditions via elected union representatives.
If the executive board claims there is no money for these pay rises, we demand that the financial records be opened to see where the money is going.
We are the backbone of the museum’s operations. The strike has shown who really runs the museum, and who really has the power. A ‘world class’ institution cannot thrive while its employees are left struggling to make ends meet.
