Pay victory for museum staff following five-day strike

Nearly 100 employees at the National Coal Mining Museum for England (NCMME) have won a pay increase of up to 10.5% following five days of strike action, says UNISON today (Wednesday). Workers at the museum include ex-miners who keep the heritage of the coal industry alive for a new generation by giving talks and tours of the underground tunnels at Wakefield’s former Caphouse Colliery. UNISON had submitted a pay claim of £2,000 for each full-time member of staff, but they were offered less than half that (4.2% plus 25p per hour). Museum managers had claimed this was the maximum ​they were allowed to pay because of a government-imposed pay cap. The union took the matter to the relevant government department, the Department for Digital, Culture​, Media & Sport, which confirmed the pay cap did not apply to the museum. This led to further talks through arbitration service Acas and a revised pay offer of £1,650 plus a one-off cost of living payment of £350 that employees have accepted. Further strike days have been called off. The museum staff were supported on the picket line by a visit from former National Union of Mineworkers president Arthur Scargill. UNISON Wakefield district branch secretary Sam Greenwood said: “Museum staff took a stand and ​have achieved ​a wage rise that goes some way towards helping them through the cost of living crisis.​ “Thankfully now the museum and its employees can continue with their amazing work sharing the story...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release National Coal Mining Museum Source Type: news