Science and Natural History Museum security guards vote ‘overwhelmingly’ to strike over ‘outdated’ pay

People walk past the Natural History Museum in South Kensington
-Credit: (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)


Science and Natural History Museum security guards have voted overwhelmingly to strike over pay and sick leave, a union representing the group announced. United Voices of the World (UWV) said 96per cent of its members working at the locations voted to start strike for three days from October 25. Workers are expected to picket outside the Science Museum.

The union said no further strikes are planned but hope the move pushes the guards’ employer, Wilson James, and the museums to get around the negotiating table. The vote means UVW can hold further strikes without balloting again for another six months. Turnout for the vote was 95pc, the union said.

The guards are demanding £16 an hour, full sick pay from day one and one more week of annual leave. They have called the current offer of £13.15 an hour insufficient and until this month, earned £11.95 an hour.

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Wilson James said it offers its workers a competitive wage and remains dedicated to fair and transparent negotiations. The security company said it has told UWV it is open to further discussions and were only contacted by the union in August at which time the negotiations said to be nearing a “positive” outcome. They said negotiations had been running since early 2024 with recognised unions.

Catherine Campbell, a Science Museum guard and union member, said the overwhelming support for industrial action showed staff were serious about wanting change. She: “This is a tough job, during half term we expect between 14,000-15,000 people in a day.

“We deal with at least seven first aid situations a day, anything from strokes to fainting, we must be ready for anything and everything…The guards at the Natural History Museum and Science Museum are no longer invisible, we want respect, we want the bosses to come and speak to us, because we deserve a seat at the table and better pay and conditions.”

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The Natural History Museum opened its revamped garden spaces, including the Evolution Garden, in July this year -Credit:Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Her colleague, Sempijja Juma, said guards have been made to feel like “second-class citizens”. Sempijja said: “We’ve tried sending letters, we tried to speak to Human Resource, but every time we got ignored. Now they’re trying to pay us the London Living Wage, but this is not enough.”

Petros Elia, general secretary for UVW, said Wilson James’ current offer was “outdated”. He said: “These workers, many of whom are migrants, are responsible for the safety of millions of visitors and priceless artefacts, yet they’re paid some of the lowest wages in the museum. Wilson James reaps huge profits from their hard work - over £7 million after tax - but it’s high time they recognise that and pay these guards a wage that reflects their worth.”

A Wilson James spokesperson said: “Throughout the year, we have been in negotiations with our recognised unions at the museums, and in September reached an agreement to increase Security Officers’ pay to £13.15 per hour backdated to April 2024, in line with our commitments as a London Living Wage accredited employer. We value our colleagues at the museums and recognise their vital contributions to protecting such treasured national institutions.

"We will do everything we can to maintain service through the strike period, and ensure the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of families and children excited to visit the museums during half term.”

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