Alistair Hardaker | Image: View of Weston Collections Hall at V&A Storehouse (Kemka Ajoku for V&A)
Union warns of further strike action if ACAS-facilitated talks fail to produce an acceptable deal.
A strike planned across all London V&A sites later this week has been paused by the PCS and Prospect unions.
A co-ordinated strike between the unions had been planned by workers at the V&A Museum in South Kensington, V&A East Museum, V&A Storehouse and Young V&A on 29 and 30 October 2026.
ACAS-facilitated talks are now set to take place instead, but the PCS union said if it cannot reach a deal that members can accept, it will announce further strike action.
PCS said its members are seeking a reasonable pay award, London Living Wage accreditation, improved seating and heat mitigation measures for front of house staff, better food provision at the East sites, and a new industrial relations framework.
A statement from the V&A last week said “Our latest pay offer delivers a pay rise well above inflation for all staff, with an average 4.18% pay rise and a 6.9% increase for our lowest-paid colleagues; increased bank holiday pay to 1.5, alongside a sector-leading bonus scheme and a subsidised food offer for staff at all V&A sites.
“All our staff are already paid at least the London Living Wage – and work is underway reviewing accreditation.”
