Prospect wins toilet break dispute with V&A

Prospect has won its dispute with V&A over Collections Access workers at the flagship V&A Storehouse site, not having time to use the toilet or have a drink of water.

Members had voted to take strike action over V&A’s refusal to grant two paid breaks a day.

V&A notified members this morning that they were changing their policy and granting them the requested two paid customary breaks a day.

Prospect members are still set to strike over wider issues on pay, terms and conditions, with PCS union also balloting their members for strike action.

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.

“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.”