British Museum awaits approval to furlough staff

The British Museum is waiting for approval from its parent body, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, over its plans to furlough staff.

Prospect and the other unions have been talking to BM’s managers about their plans to use the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The talks have covered issues including:

• the museum’s application to the DCMS for approval to furlough staff
• topping up staff salaries to full pay from the 80% or £2,500 that is allowed under the CJRS ­ – a red line for Prospect
• the selection process for choosing which staff are furloughed or kept working
• a guarantee that staff will return to the same role on returning from furlough
• sight of the museum’s communications to staff about furlough.

BM has confirmed that all staff are covered by the CJRS, including people on zero hours and fixed-term contracts.

However, on Friday 17 April, the museum had not received full approval from the DCMS on all aspects of its application to furlough staff.

This may mean that the museum has to revise the number of staff furloughed.

Prospect negotiator Brian Harris said:

“Although this is a fluid situation, the museum has assured us that all staff will be paid their normal salary for the foreseeable future – regardless of their situation ie furloughed, on special leave or continuing to work.

“Prospect branch reps are not opposed to the museum’s furlough proposals as they are currently set out.

“So, they are recommending that members who are asked to be furloughed, should agree to do so – but only on the terms set out by BM,” Harris added.

The museum’s management has said it will talk to Prospect and the other unions terms if the furlough offer changes because the DCMS does not approve any aspect of the museum’s application.

“We could withdraw our support if the full salary element of the furlough changes,” Harris concluded.

Pay dispute

Branch reps have agreed to postpone a ballot on industrial action and pause the dispute over the 2019 pay offer being imposed.