Significant strike action at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield, due to begin next week, can be avoided if senior managers bring a new pay offer to negotiations, says UNISON today (Wednesday).
More than 40 workers, including the museum’s mine guides, horse keepers and cleaners, are due to walk out a week today (Wednesday 20 August) for four weeks in a wage dispute. The union warns there will be further action if no solution is reached.
The museum management had agreed to recommend a 5% pay rise or £1 an hour (whichever is greater) to the board of trustees, meaning it would be put to staff as an offer if approved. But instead, the museum reverted to a previous offer staff had already rejected*.
Following last week’s announcement of strike action, museum managers have requested further talks with UNISON through the arbitration service Acas.
The union says talks could prevent the strikes if the chief executive and other senior managers put forward an improved pay offer. This would also demonstrate to staff that they are valued and respected by their employer, UNISON adds.
If no significant pay offer is brought to the table, workers will have no choice but to go ahead with the strike, says the union.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said: “It’s a positive step for museum managers to request further talks. But actions speak louder than words.
“They must enter these talks with an improved pay offer if there’s to be any progress. And it will show staff their hard work is valued.
“These workers and their storytelling bring the National Coal Mining Museum to life for thousands of visitors.
“If managers want this important service showcasing the region’s heritage to continue, they must put an acceptable pay offer on the table.
“Otherwise staff will have no option to walk out next week.”
Notes:
– *In March, the National Coal Mining Museum put forward a 5% pay offer for all staff, which was rejected. A second offer was made in June via Acas talks of a £1 per hour uplift for mine guides and 5% for everyone else. UNISON said this had the potential effect of giving a greater pay rise to men (who make up the team of mine guides) than women employed elsewhere at the museum.
– UNISON suggested 5% or £1 per hour for all staff, whichever is greater, which the museum’s management said would be put forward as a pay rise suggestion to the board of trustees with a recommendation for acceptance. That was withdrawn 11 days later.
– The strike ballot closed on 30 July 2025. In the vote, 73.9% of staff backed strike action and 94.9% backed action short of a strike. The turnout was 95.1%.
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