V&A workers win toilet break dispute with museum - but strike action to go ahead

Staff at the museum’s newest site had planned to strike over not having adequate toilet breaks or opportunities to have a drink of water. They had claimed they were being treated worse than colleagues at other locations and were only given one break, despite long periods of manual labour. The V&A has now notified members that it would be changing its policy and grant them the requested two paid customary breaks a day. Staff still plan on walking out over pay conditionsAFP/GettyThe dispute was primarily focused on “Collections Access” workers who facilitate the “order an object service”, an offering which gives members of the public access to the museum’s collection. The union has also called for the V&A to become an accredited London Living Wage employer within the next year and to improve food provisions for staff.This strike will take place across three other V&A locations in the capital. The union is calling for a minimum 4 per cent wage increase for staff earning above the living wage and time-and-a-half pay for bank holidays. Timing of the industrial action is yet to be decided.Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said: “This is a great result for our members but it really shouldn’t have taken the threat of strike action for V&A to grant this reasonable request.“V&A spent multiple days defending the indefensible and eroding the trust of their own staff, it was only direct industrial pressure and negative media coverage that have forced this change of position.Read More“Management at the V&A can avoid further embarrassment and disruption by finally making progress on pay and conditions for staff and settling the remaining industrial dispute.“Our members have shown that by determination and organisation they can take on the V&A and win. We’d also like to thank the many V&A customers and members of the public who have expressed their solidarity with our members in this dispute.”The Standard has contacted the V&A for comment.