More than 40 members of staff at the National Coal Mining Museum are to strike for around a month from today (20 August) after rejecting pay offer from the charity’s management.

The industrial action by Unison members at the Wakefield based museum will take place until Sunday 14 September and will mainly affect underground tours.

Unison met with management through arbitration service Acas last week, but the museum’s offer of an uplift of 80p an hour or 5%, whichever is greater, was rejected.

The union claims this offer was made despite previous pledge to increase pay by £1 an hour or 5%, something the museum is denying was a firm proposal.

“When museum managers said they wanted Acas talks, it seemed as though they were keen to resolve the dispute and show staff they’re valued,” said Unison Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley.

“Instead, they’ve come back with a proposal that’s worse. It’s a clear demonstration of how little managers value staff.

“These aren’t highly-paid workers. Mine guides typically earn around £12.86 an hour, and many staff are on £12.60 per hour, not much more than the minimum wage. All too often they’re struggling to make ends meet.

She added: “If Museum managers actually care about their staff, they’ll improve the offer. UNISON is happy to meet right away to resolve this. That would allow families to enjoy the museum and its facilities throughout the summer holidays.

“But until they are willing to do so, staff have no option but to strike.”

A spokesperson for the museum said the pay offer of 80p extra an hour represents a pay rise of more than 6% for many staff and “is much higher than pay settlements in the public sector including police, local government, schools and other museums”.

They added: “As a charitable organisation, the museum, which relies on external funding and donations, continues to face considerable financial pressures.

“We hope UNISON will reconsider their position. We remain committed to working closely with union representatives in the hope of a resolution.

During this period, the Museum will remain open and continue to share the important history of coal mining with our visitors.

“Although our Underground Tours will not be running throughout the industrial action, there will still be lots to see and do including a full programme of activity and entertainment.”

"The rest of our museum will be open, with lots for families and visitors to experience, with a full programme of activities, performances, music, and entertainment.”

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