Striking Workers Shutter Three V&A London Locations
Unionized staff at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum held a planned two-day strike, prompting the V&A to close three sites on Friday, September 4, through Saturday, September 5. About 700 workers—more than half of the organization’s workforce—participated, organized under Prospect Union’s heritage division and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), citing “Amazon-style” working conditions. The closures affected the V&A East Museum, the East Storehouse, and the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, while staff rallied outside with signs calling for fair pay and access to water. Prospect’s national secretary for heritage, Paula Lamont, said the shutdowns demonstrated how essential staff are to museum operations. Lamont also warned that further strikes, potentially including action at the V&A’s South Kensington flagship, could follow if needed.
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This story was covered in Prize Glory, Museum Turmoil, and Royalty Revolts