How Strikes are Delaying Museum Openings in Liverpool
NML Faces Closure During UK Bank Holidays Due to Industrial Dispute
National Museums Liverpool (NML) in Liverpool may be forced to shut its doors during the upcoming UK bank holidays as a result of an ongoing industrial dispute. The museum staff have been on strike since February over a disputed one-off £1,500 cost of living payment. Despite rejecting NML’s final offer of £750 plus additional holidays, staff members are prepared to continue striking until August. This prolonged strike period is set to be the longest in the history of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).
The closure of NML’s seven sites, including popular venues such as the Museum of Liverpool, International Slavery Museum, and Walker Art Gallery, during the busy bank holiday weekends in May is now a likely scenario. The staff’s frustration stems from feeling undervalued compared to workers in similar roles who have received the £1,500 payment.
The UK government initially offered the payment to civil servants after a PCS-wide strike last year. However, NML claims that it cannot afford the one-off payment due to its focus on increasing yearly staff pay. Despite government guidance stating that museums are not obligated to match the civil service pay remit, PCS members at other institutions have successfully negotiated for the full amount.
The ongoing dispute has garnered support from Liverpool MPs, who have visited the picket line at the Museum of Liverpool and urged NML to reconsider its position. The negotiations between NML and PCS remain ongoing, with hopes of reaching a resolution before further strike action is taken.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.