Staff at the Victoria and Albert Museum's new V&A East Storehouse have voted unanimously to strike, marking a notable labour moment at one of London's newest cultural destinations.
The ballot, organized by Prospect, involved collections access officers who support the museum's "Order an Object" service, which lets visitors book appointments to view items from the V&A collection. The union said turnout was close to 88 percent, with all voting members supporting strike action and 92 percent backing action short of a strike.
Prospect says workers need more time for water and restroom breaks during shifts and is calling for two paid breaks per day. The union also says similar break arrangements already exist elsewhere across the museum.
The wider dispute includes pay and conditions across the V&A's London sites. Prospect is seeking a 4 percent minimum pay rise for staff earning above the Living Wage, time-and-a-half for bank holiday work, London Living Wage accreditation within a year, and better food provision at V&A East.
The museum said talks with the union have continued since February and highlighted its latest offer, including a 3.6 percent overall pay increase and a 6.9 percent rise for its lowest-paid colleagues. The V&A also said staff have access to water, toilets, and regular breaks, and noted added measures during the recent heatwave.
As negotiations continue, the outcome could help shape how major museums balance visitor experience, staff wellbeing, and the future of cultural workspaces.
