V&A members ballot for industrial action

Prospect members at the V&A are voting in an industrial action ballot after the museum sought to impose a pay offer that members had overwhelmingly rejected in a consultative ballot.

Members voted against the offer with a 90% turnout and an 89% rejection rate. Despite that clear result, the V&A has chosen to press ahead with implementing the offer rather than returning to meaningful negotiations.

The dispute is also about working conditions. Collections Access Officers at the new V&A East Storehouse are not entitled to morning or afternoon breaks, making it difficult for staff to take a drink of water or use the toilet during their shift. Prospect members have been raising concerns about these conditions since August 2025.

Prospect is calling on the museum to:

• Introduce two paid 15-minute breaks for Collections Access Officers at Storehouse
• Deliver a minimum 4% pay increase for staff earning above the Living Wage
• Pay time-and-a-half for Bank Holiday working
• Become an accredited London Living Wage employer within 12 months
• Improve food provision at V&A East sites.

The industrial action ballot closes on 29 July.