National Coal Mining Museum – strike information

Workers at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield are walking out in a dispute over their pay. We’ve created this page to help you know exactly what’s happening.

What’s happening?

More than 40 members of staff at the National Coal Mining Museum are walking out. They’ll be on a picket line outside the main entrance to the museum on New Road, Overton.

When is this happening?

The strike begins on Wednesday 20 August, with the picket line underway from 9am. The strike has now been extended for a second time, and will run until Sunday 9 November, unless an acceptable offer is put forward by the museum.

Why is it happening?

This is a last resort, and the only option staff have been left with after the disrespect they have been shown by senior managers during pay talks.

In March, an unacceptable pay offer was put forward and rejected. Managers then made another offer which would’ve seen men gain a greater pay rise than women. UNISON suggested a counter-offer, which the museum said it would put to its board of trustees, recommending it be approved.

They then withdrew that, and have since claimed it was never an offer. Instead, they say these were “numbers being floated around” during pay talks with UNISON.

When the strike was announced, the museum requested further talks – which UNISON hoped would result in an improved offer, meaning the strike could be suspended.

However, managers brought a worse offer than previous to the table.

Bosses say they want to resolve this dispute, but their actions say otherwise.

UNISON is ready and waiting to have meaningful discussions with managers.  The museum has the power to bring the strike to a halt – but until they start respecting their staff, this is the only option.

What can I do to support workers?

There’s lots you can do to show solidarity with staff taking action. You could join them on the picket line outside the museum to show your support. You can like and share social media posts shared by UNISON on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and X. If you’re a Wakefield resident, you could contact your MP asking them to try help resolve the dispute. Or if you’re feeling brave, you could even contact the museum telling them to show their staff some respect.