Staff at the V&A East Storehouse in east London have voted unanimously to strike in a dispute over working conditions.
The trade union Prospect said members working as collections access officers at the V&A East Storehouse are set to strike over "Amazon-style" working practices.
It said members are denied sufficient time during the day for toilet or hydration breaks, and Prospect is asking for two paid breaks a day "in what is a punishing daily schedule".
Prospect said the museum failed to agree to its "extremely reasonable request for customary paid breaks", which are given to workers in other parts of the V&A organisation.
“This brand-new flagship site of one of the country’s most popular national museums opened with great fanfare last year and it has been a huge success," said Mike Clancy, Prospect's general secretary.
Staff at the V&A East Storehouse in east London have voted to strike in a dispute over working conditions Hufton + Crow for V&A
“However, this incredible new way of showing off our heritage is being delivered by workers who are denied adequate break time to use the toilet or have a drink of water."
He added: "Visitors to the museum will be appalled to learn that these kinds of working practices, which unions campaign against in companies like Amazon, also exist in an internationally renowned heritage institution.
"This is part of a pattern with V&A showing a shocking lack of respect to its employees and fighting fairness at every turn. That’s why our members have also voted to take action across the whole V&A in London."
As above, Prospect members across the V&A's sites have voted for industrial action in a wider dispute over pay, working conditions, and the organisation's "refusal" to seek living wage accreditation.
Prospect is demanding a minimum 4 percent pay rise for staff earning above the living wage, time-and-a-half for bank holiday working, accreditation as a London living wage employer within 12 months, and improved food provision at V&A East sites.
V&A statement
In a statement to The Standard, the V&A said: “The V&A has been in negotiations with the trade union side since February and those negotiations are ongoing. Our offer sees a 3.6 percent increase in the overall pay bill, an above inflation pay award as a minimum, and 6.9 percent increase for our lowest paid colleagues. As always, we have maintained our long-standing commitment to paying at least the London living wage.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff is of utmost importance to the V&A – all our staff have access to water and toilet facilities and regular breaks while at work.
“Extensive measures were implemented to support our staff during the heatwave, ranging from additional rest breaks, increasing staff rotations across gallery spaces, closing several galleries at V&A South Kensington and closing Young V&A altogether on 11 days during the peak of the heatwave.
“To ensure the safety and security of national collections, during visits to V&A East Storehouse, food and drink are not permitted for visitors or staff.”
Images courtesy of V&A
