Museum workers in ‘disobedient’ protest

28 August 2014

The protest takes place during the late opening for the V&A’s latest exhibition called Disobedient Objects – which the museum describes as “the first exhibition to explore the powerful role that objects play in grassroots movements for social change.”

Museum visitors will be greeted by our members and supporters in a lively street protest to highlight the issue of low pay and the lack of a decent pay rise for staff.

Pay restraint

Staff have been suffering from years of pay restraint – wages are down over 10% in the past 3 years, with no prospect of a decent increase under the current government’s pay policy. If pay had kept pace with inflation staff salary would be £2,300 higher than it is now.

The protest will take place outside the main entrance of the iconic institution in Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London from 6-8pm.

If you would like to join the protest or would like more details please email PCS industrial officer Kat Dyer kat@pcs.org.uk.

Join the protest

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “On salaries of £17,000 to £18,000, this sort of cut can really push people towards working poverty when London rent prices, transport costs and the cost of food are increasing.

“Rumours of privatisation also hang over every single staff member in the V&A. We believe that this will have a detrimental effect on the visitor experience, as well as a negative impact on London’s cultural success.”

At the protest visitors to the museum will be asked to sign a postcard to be delivered to professor Martin Roth, the museum’s director, to support the campaign for fair pay for his staff.

If you would like to support the campaign please come along or email the museum’s director urging him to give staff at the V&A fair pay.

source: PCS