The British Museum employees decided on Saturday to protest. The museum’s staff are not the only cultural institution employees taking on this action. This action also includes many other culturally significant facilities at the U.K. The employees are demanding better payment and labour conditions.
The British Museum Employees Seek Better Working Conditions
A great number of visitors and security staff will start their protest on February 13. This date marks a holiday in most U.K. schools. The Public and Commercial Service Union (PCS) called for a protest. The ongoing disagreement led to the organizing this protest, where the main requests are better jobs, pay and pensions.
PHOTO HAN YAN/XINHUA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Overall, those actions include more than 100,000 workers, who are ready to fight for their rights. Some part of the government sector will join the protests on picket lines, on February 1. This includes the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). These strikes can also have a great impact on the presentation of many exhibitions.
For example, it could potentially result in the early closure of a historic exhibition about ancient Egypt, scheduled to run until February 19. It publicly displays the Rosetta Stone in the midst of an ongoing effort to give it back to Egypt. The British Museum spoke, and said the strike is out of their control since it includes a wider public sector’s action.
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Not Only Cultural Workers, But Other Institutions
The British Museum spokesman said they come prepared. The museum conducted a strategic plan to respond to the shortage of staff on the strike days. “This plan prioritises a safe and secure opening of the museum on a phased basis,” he said. The Public and Commercial Services Union, on the other hand, said the museum will probably close at those days.
Workers at cultural institutions are not the only ones going on strike. The Union organized strikes at Britain’s vehicle licensing agency and dozens of criminal courts. “We warned ministers that our action would spread if they ignored our demands, and we’re good to our word”, said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.
The British Museum, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and national museums in Scotland are among those with PCS workers who could walk out on Wednesday, the Museums Association said. After a five-day walkout which resulted in a wage offer of 10.5% in November, workers at the National Coal Mining Museum declared a success.
