Victoria and Albert Museum staff have escalated their industrial action over pay and working conditions, with strikes set to take place at all its sites for the first time.

The action involving hundreds of workers at the charity will take place over the half term school holidays, on 29 and 20 of October, in coordinated action organised by the unions PCS and Prospect.

This is the third round of industrial action and the first to impact all four sites, V&A South Kensington, V&A East, V&A Storehouse and Young V&A.

Prospect says the action is being taken amid concerns that the charity’s director Tristram Hunt is not taking part in arbitration talks, and over the lack of revised offer since negotiations took place on 13 October.

The union is calling for a minimum 4% pay increase for staff earning above the Living Wage, time and half pay for Bank Holiday working. In addition, the charity is being called on to become an accredited London Living Wage employer within the next year and that food provision is improved at V&A East sites.

PCS is also demanding better pay, improved food offers at its East sites and London Living Wage accreditation. In addition, they want heat mitigation measures and are in negotiations with the V&A over the provision of water bottles and adequate seating for front of house staff at V&A Storehouse.

Early last month members of the two unions working at the V&A’s East Storehouse, East Museum and Young V&A walked out. A second period of strike action took place later last month at the three sites.

“This is a dispute which V&A could potentially have resolved months ago but their continuing refusal to move on our demands has left us with no choice but to continue our strike action,” said Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy.

“V&A is deservedly one of the UK’s top heritage attractions but visitors will be shocked to hear poorly paid many staff are, and that such a major institution refuses to get Living Wage accreditation.

“People on the lowest wages need to know that their pay will keep up with the real cost of living.”

He added: “Prospect members are dedicated to their jobs, and it is these dedicated staff who make the museum the world-class attraction it is."

The charity said that its latest pay and conditions offer will see staff receive an average pay rise of 4.18%, with a 6.9% increase for the lowest paid workers.

It also sees bank holiday pay increased to time and a half, alongside "a sector-leading bonus scheme and a subsidised food offer for staff at all V&A sites".

In addition, all staff are already paid at least the London Living Wage, it said, and "work is underway reviewing accreditation".

A V&A spokesperson added: "We are currently assessing the impact of strike action and will provide more information to visitors as soon as possible.

"We regret that the Trade Unions have voted again for strike action, we remain in close negotiations and have met the majority of their demands.

"We value our staff enormously and remain fully committed to providing safe, supportive working environments in all our museums."

---