Britain’s national library is on strike. Staff members have walked out to demand fairer wages causing mass disruption at the British Library.
A union chief has slammed management at the British Library for offering a “derisory” 2.4% pay rise to staff. Hannah David, Vice President of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said the below inflation pay offer was “offensive.”
In response to the offer, 300 members went on strike at the British Library this Monday. They demanded an above inflation pay rise, chanting “fair work! Fair pay!”
These strikes are scheduled to run for two weeks until 9 November and coincide with the launch of a major new exhibition, ‘Secret Maps‘.
The recent strikes at the British Library have forced the new Secret Maps exhibition to close early on some days.
Ms David went on to attack the library’s management for failing to listen to the views of workers who she says are at “breaking point,” and struggling to pay their bills after repeated year-on-year real term pay cuts.
City News has approached The British Library for comment on Ms David’s allegations, and have received no response.
Tensions at the library have been rising since 2023, when a major cyber-attack leaked staff members’ personal data online.
The PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote said, “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 it is.”
A striking staff member holds up a poster encouraging motorists to show their support.
The strikes have resulted in multiple changes to the library, and it’s surrounding area:
Services across The British Library’s site on Euston Road have been affected. A spokesman for The British Library said the industrial action would cause “significant disruption” and result in a reduced service.
Reading rooms have been closed at short notice and the new ‘Secret Maps’ exhibition has been forced to shut early on some days.
Some students studying at the library told us they were unable to get membership cards and were struggling with congested hallways and cramped galleries. Though, others seem less concerned. Emma, from the University of Westminster, told City News she hadn’t noticed much disruption and was able to use the library as normal.
Striking workers on the picket line sympathised with students who had been affected. Nick, a union rep, said strikers had not intended to disrupt students, but hoped students would expect staff to be well fed in the morning and able to pay their bills. He encouraged students to support the strike, saying; “our fight is also your fight.”
Strikers braved heavy rain on Wednesday.
The strike has received high profile support including from former shadow chancellor John McDonnell who joined the picket line on Tuesday.
In a post on X, Mr McDonnell said; “They [staff members] have been offered another below inflation pay deal that effectively means a pay cut whilst some senior managers award themselves £10,000 to £15,000 bonuses.”
Workers have also been angered by proposals to award management bonuses of £5,000 although the British Library subsequently dropped these plans.
Antonio, a striking staff member, said he was “disappointed” management had continued to receive bonuses while workers failed to receive an equivalent pay rise. He complained, “the library management is very reluctant to accept our conditions, so we don’t have any option but to strike.”
The picket received further support from sympathetic motorists and even a passing police car, who blared their horns to loud cheers from the crowd.
For staff, the strike is the last straw in a long running dispute between management and workers. Complaints of unfairness were widespread on the picket line and many staff reported feeling “unrecognised” by executives. With the strike still in its early days many Londoners will be left wondering whether this is a short flashpoint or a sign of prolonged troubles to come.
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HeadlineBritish Library Slammed for “Offensive” Pay Offer
Short HeadlineBritish Library Slammed for “Offensive” Pay Offer
StandfirstWorkers at the UK’s national library are going on strike for 2 weeks to demand fair pay.
Britain’s national library is on strike. Staff members have walked out to demand fairer wages causing mass disruption at the British Library.
A union chief has slammed management at the British Library for offering a “derisory” 2.4% pay rise to staff. Hannah David, Vice President of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said the below inflation pay offer was “offensive.”
In response to the offer, 300 members went on strike at the British Library this Monday. They demanded an above inflation pay rise, chanting “fair work! Fair pay!”
These strikes are scheduled to run for two weeks until 9 November and coincide with the launch of a major new exhibition, ‘Secret Maps‘.
The recent strikes at the British Library have forced the new Secret Maps exhibition to close early on some days.
Ms David went on to attack the library’s management for failing to listen to the views of workers who she says are at “breaking point,” and struggling to pay their bills after repeated year-on-year real term pay cuts.
City News has approached The British Library for comment on Ms David’s allegations, and have received no response.
Tensions at the library have been rising since 2023, when a major cyber-attack leaked staff members’ personal data online.
The PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote said, “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 it is.”
A striking staff member holds up a poster encouraging motorists to show their support.
The strikes have resulted in multiple changes to the library, and it’s surrounding area:
Services across The British Library’s site on Euston Road have been affected. A spokesman for The British Library said the industrial action would cause “significant disruption” and result in a reduced service.
Reading rooms have been closed at short notice and the new ‘Secret Maps’ exhibition has been forced to shut early on some days.
Some students studying at the library told us they were unable to get membership cards and were struggling with congested hallways and cramped galleries. Though, others seem less concerned. Emma, from the University of Westminster, told City News she hadn’t noticed much disruption and was able to use the library as normal.
Striking workers on the picket line sympathised with students who had been affected. Nick, a union rep, said strikers had not intended to disrupt students, but hoped students would expect staff to be well fed in the morning and able to pay their bills. He encouraged students to support the strike, saying; “our fight is also your fight.”
Strikers braved heavy rain on Wednesday.
The strike has received high profile support including from former shadow chancellor John McDonnell who joined the picket line on Tuesday.
In a post on X, Mr McDonnell said; “They [staff members] have been offered another below inflation pay deal that effectively means a pay cut whilst some senior managers award themselves £10,000 to £15,000 bonuses.”
Workers have also been angered by proposals to award management bonuses of £5,000 although the British Library subsequently dropped these plans.
Antonio, a striking staff member, said he was “disappointed” management had continued to receive bonuses while workers failed to receive an equivalent pay rise. He complained, “the library management is very reluctant to accept our conditions, so we don’t have any option but to strike.”
The picket received further support from sympathetic motorists and even a passing police car, who blared their horns to loud cheers from the crowd.
For staff, the strike is the last straw in a long running dispute between management and workers. Complaints of unfairness were widespread on the picket line and many staff reported feeling “unrecognised” by executives. With the strike still in its early days many Londoners will be left wondering whether this is a short flashpoint or a sign of prolonged troubles to come.
