Mining museum staff win following strike

Pay rises of up 10.5% have been won by workers at the National Coal Mining Museum for England after taking five days of strike action (see Workplace Report November issue, page 5).

The 100 members of the UNISON public services union had put in a claim for £2,000, but managers offered them less than half of that (4.2% plus 25p per hour), claiming this was the maximum possible because of a government-imposed pay cap. However, the relevant government department said the cap did not apply to the museum.

Talks with Acas resulted in an agreed offer of £1,650, plus a one-off cost of living payment of £350.

UNISON Wakefield District branch secretary Sam Greenwood said: “Museum workers took a stand and have achieved a wage rise that goes some way towards helping them through the cost of living crisis.”