Outsourced security guards at London’s Science Museum and Natural History Museum have voted to strike over pay and sick leave, their union has announced.
The United Voices of the World (UVW) union said 96 percent of its members working at the museums voted to strike for three days from 25 October.
Catherine Campbell, a Science Museum security guard of 13 years and UVW member, said the vote “is about us having our say and proving to management that we are not happy about our conditions and that we are serious, we want change”.
“Every day we deal with a great deal of responsibility, giving the visitors a good experience and thinking about their safety and security,” she added.
Employed by security contractor Wilson James, the security guards are asking for a wage of £16 an hour instead of the planned increase to £13.15, as well as full sick pay from day one of any illness or injury.
Currently, the guards earn £11.95 per hour – 51p above the minimum wage, which was the London living wage in 2022. Members of the union said their wages are “stuck in the past” and described the planned increase as “too little, too late”.
Sempijja Juma, Science Museum security guard and UVW member, said: “We’re asking for fair and better pay for our services, we cannot be given pennies to keep quiet.”
Petros Elia, general secretary for UVW, said: “The security guards have spoken loud and clear with an overwhelming vote to strike – they deserve wages that meet today’s standards, not outdated ones, for the incredibly important and thankless work they do.”
Museum workers demand pay rise
Elia added: “The outsourcing of these roles unfairly reduced the guards to second-class workers, cutting them off from the museum’s community, pay scales, and benefits. It’s long overdue for the museums to bring them in-house.
“UVW will stand with the guards every step of the way in this fight for fair treatment, and we call on Wilson James and the museums to come to the table and negotiate.”
Via the BBC, Wilson James said in a statement: “We value our colleagues at the museums and recognise their vital contributions to protecting such treasured national institutions.
“We will do everything we can to maintain service through the strike period, and ensure the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of families and children excited to visit the museums during half term.”
Images courtesy of UVW and Natural History Museum
