More than 300 workers at the British Library will strike in a dispute over pay. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) announced the industrial action following a near-unanimous vote by its members.
The strike will run from October 27 to November 9, affecting the iconic London institution. A remarkable 98% of union members voted in favour of the walkout.
Workers are facing their second consecutive year of below-inflation pay rises. The union says this has left many staff struggling with health problems due to low wages and forcing them to take second jobs or loans to cover basic living costs.
Union condemns pay offer
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote described the pay offer as "insulting" and said it fails to address workers' financial hardships. She said: "A near unanimous vote for strike action is just a small glimpse into the strength of feeling among our members at the British Library."
Heathcote criticised the library's management for failing to recognise staff contributions. "They are livid at yet another insulting pay offer that does little to alleviate the health problems that many suffer from because of low pay," she said.
The union leader emphasised that workers are essential to the institution's success. "The employer's well-paid executives need to take the blinkers off and understand that our hard-working members are what makes the British Library the vital cultural institution that it is," Heathcote added.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
