Mine museum workers take to picket line

Workers from the National Coal Mining Museum in Yorkshire went on strike during October half term, hosting picket lines every day. UNISON said the Wakefield museum’s pay offer of 4.2% was half the rate of inflation and, while members did not want to strike, “they had no choice”.

Trevor Chalkley, union rep and ex-miner, said “We don’t want to go out on strike. We don’t want to have picket lines. We don’t want to fall out with people. We just want to get on with what we love”. With his UNISON colleagues, Chalkley has been arguing for a more generous deal and for the museum to “share the pot out” instead of offering a percentage increase, with the aim of helping lower-paid workers. The full-time wage is currently £18,000.