Workers at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford have won their dispute over toilet and hydration breaks. Staff at the museum’s newest site had planned to strike over not having adequate toilet breaks or opportunities to have a drink of water. They had claimed they were being treated worse than colleagues at other locations and were only given one break, despite long periods of manual labour.
Policy change announced
The V&A has now notified members that it would be changing its policy and grant them the requested two paid customary breaks a day. Staff still plan on walking out over pay conditions.
Dispute details
The dispute was primarily focused on “Collections Access” workers who facilitate the “order an object service”, an offering which gives members of the public access to the museum’s collection. However, members of the Prospect Union will still strike over wider issues on pay and other terms and conditions. The union has also called for the V&A to become an accredited London Living Wage employer within the next year and to improve food provisions for staff.
Strike plans
This strike will take place across three other V&A locations in the capital. The union is calling for a minimum 4 per cent wage increase for staff earning above the living wage and time-and-a-half pay for bank holidays. Timing of the industrial action is yet to be decided.
Another union, the Public and Commercial Services Union, has also launched a ballot for strike action, citing “serious and unresolved concerns affecting staff across the museum.”
Union response
Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said: “This is a great result for our members but it really shouldn’t have taken the threat of strike action for V&A to grant this reasonable request.
“V&A spent multiple days defending the indefensible and eroding the trust of their own staff, it was only direct industrial pressure and negative media coverage that have forced this change of position.
“Management at the V&A can avoid further embarrassment and disruption by finally making progress on pay and conditions for staff and settling the remaining industrial dispute.
“Our members have shown that by determination and organisation they can take on the V&A and win. We’d also like to thank the many V&A customers and members of the public who have expressed their solidarity with our members in this dispute.”
The Standard has contacted the V&A for comment.
