The past months of endless strikes across numerous industries have been referred to as the “Winter of Discontent”.
Trains and buses have been cancelled, postmen have walked out, schools and universities have closed, the military have stepped in to cover for emergency and border workers, and more. Now, staff at the British Museum have joined the strike action.
Here is what we know about their strikes and how they are affecting visitors.
Why are the British Museum staff going on strike?
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) in the Home Office, Border Force, Department for Transport and Defra have been striking since November last year.
On January 30, they asked members working at the British Museum to join them in their protests about pay levels, pensions, job security and redundancy terms. PCS also asked members to speak to their colleagues who are not in the union and encourage them to join.
British Museum strike kicked off today, fantastic picket line and big support for the action. We’re about to find out if the Museum is closed.
— PCS Union (@pcs_union) February 13, 2023
Solidarity ✊✊#heartunions #JoinAUnion #pcsonstrike #BlameTheGov pic.twitter.com/AuNH1Rgudh
The secretary of the PCS, Mark Serwotka, criticised the museum for “choosing not to invest in their staff”.
However, a British Museum spokesperson has said that the workers’ demands were “on matters related to terms and conditions beyond the museum’s control” as they were “subject to central government guidelines on pay”.
When are the British Museum employees going on strike?
PCS members‘ strike action began on Monday February 13, coinciding with schools’ half-term period. Their strike will continue until Sunday, February 19.
What effect is the strike having on visitors to the British Museum?
As a result of the strike, the British Museum cancelled its programme of half-term events and warned it might have to close some of its galleries at short notice.
Those who want to visit during the strike period have to pre-book their tickets.
While some members of the public have shown their support towards the union’s strike action, some families have been disappointed staff chose to strike over half-term.
