Prospect secures improved pay deal at British Library

Prospect has secured an improved pay deal for its members working at the British Library. After rejecting two unacceptable offers and threatening industrial action the employer has come back with an offer which members have voted to accept.  

The first offer which members rejected was a 2.4% increase with an £800 underpin for lower grades. The second was an across the board 3.8% increase. After intense negotiations and a vote in favour of industrial action the employer eventually came back with an offer of 3.8% and an agreement to structural changes allowing realistic pay progression through the lowest grades. This structural change also represents a significant and welcome cash improvement some of the lowest paid.  

Members have approved the new deal with 78% voting for it versus 22% against. 

Steve Thomas, Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said:  

“The British Library is a vital institution supporting the country’s heritage and research in the humanities. To maintain its reputation and ability to attract and retain the best talent it really needed to up its game on pay. That’s why our members, struggling with the cost of living, voted to reject two pay offers and were willing to take industrial action. 

“This deal from the British Library marks a sensible way forward and finally addresses Prospect members’ concerns about the overall level of pay, as well as providing a realistic incentive for those at the bottom to progress through the grades. 

“Our members across the St Pancras and Boston Spa sites have overwhelmingly accepted the improved offer and now want to get on with the job they love, without worrying that they will be priced out by inflation. 

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of reps in securing a deal which is better than the industry average, and for more than a year campaigning on the problem of pay compression.”