Jessica BirdOutsourced security guards at the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert (V&A) – employed by Wilson James – have voted to take strike action in a continued dispute over pay.
United Voices of the World (UVW) members that guard the three museums claimed that they faced real-terms pay cuts, as well as six years of frozen wages.
Despite rising profits for the company, the union claimed security guards’ pay in 2019-21 only increased by 1.2%.
The guards chose to strike over the following demands: £16 an hour; full sick pay from day one; and one more week annual leave.
Kingsley Ampofo, a UVW member and security guard at the Natural History Museum, said: “The refusal of Wilson James to offer security guards a decent wage in these harsh economic times is having a serious impact on our wellbeing.
“We have to work more days as overtime to make ends meet at the expense of our health and our families.
“Every member of the museum’s workforce, including the directors, have received a decent rise in their wages.
“So why not the security guards who work their socks off to ensure the safety of both people and property?”
A Wilson James spokesperson said: “At Wilson James, we place the highest value on our colleagues’ contributions to protecting and enhancing visitor experiences at the Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum.
“The safety of both our team members and the public are our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a respectful and fair working environment.
“We offer competitive compensation and are committed to transparent negotiations with our recognised unions. While we acknowledge the demands put forward by UVW, we are seeking a resolution that balances fair pay with the need to remain financially responsible.
“As a Recognised Service Provider by the Living Wage Foundation, we continue to work to ensure that pay for our security colleagues remains reflective of the circumstances.
“Our most recent negotiations with our recognised trade unions secured a minimum pay increase of 5% and brought pay rates in line with London Living Wage.
“We respect the right to strike, whilst remaining confident that we will continue to deliver excellent service to the museums and their visitors throughout this period of industrial action.
“We are disappointed that UVW members have made the decision to undertake further action, however we are working diligently to minimise any disruption and ensure that visitors to the museums can continue to enjoy a safe and enriching experience.
“We continue to engage with UVW, seeking to formalise a recognition agreement that will support finding a resolution that is fair for all.”
