British Library (PCS) Strike Calendar
Strike Type: GOV
Latest British Library Industrial Action Updates (5)
The majority of members at the British Library are low-paid workers who rely heavily on their health cash plan for routine medical expenses.
A recent offer was rejected as it was considered worse than previous pay deals, leading to the Library returning to an offer of a 3.8% increase, a £2,000 uplift for Grade C minimum employees, and a review of the AWP allowance for security officers.
This current offer does not include compensation for a previously received smaller pay increase compared to other public sector workers.
Concerns were raised that nearly half of Grade C staff would not benefit from the £2,000 uplift, resulting in long-serving staff earning the same as new joiners, while a promised pay review remains outstanding for three years.
The union stated its central demands involve inflation-proof pay restoration, addressing Grade C compression, and the AWP allowance for security officers, rejecting the Library's claim regarding changing demands.
Meetings to resolve the dispute, including discussions on multi-year awards and joint approaches, saw most proposals rejected by the Library due to affordability concerns.
The union highlighted a survey indicating 71% of unionized staff found their salary insufficient for basic needs, supported by testimonials describing significant financial hardship.
Both parties have agreed to meet with ACAS in an effort to find a resolution after the Library indicated no further increases would be made to the 2025/26 pay award.
Over 300 members of the PCS union at the British Library plan to strike for five days in December 2025 due to an ongoing dispute concerning pay.
This follows two previous weeks of strike action in October and November.
Recent disruption has included the unexpected departure of the Library’s CEO, which reportedly eroded staff confidence and the institution's reputation.
Staff concerns also involve low pay, increased workloads due to extra responsibilities, and escalating abuse from service users without sufficient management support, alongside the lingering effects of a 2023 cyber-attack.
Following the previous strikes, members received a revised pay offer from the interim CEO, which was unanimously rejected.
The union demands an inflation-proof pay increase and compensation for the previous year’s below-inflation award.
The earlier industrial action received strong support from the public, politicians, and creatives, resulting in event cancellations.
It is stated that meeting the staff's demands is necessary for leadership to rebuild trust and highlight the need for better funding within the cultural sector.
Members unanimously rejected a revised pay offer, deeming it insufficient compared to their expectations, even though it aligns with the Civil Service Pay Remit.
The union's key negotiation points include seeking an above-inflation award, restoration of pay lost from the previous year's shortfall, and resolution concerning non-payment of alternative working patterns for some security staff.
The employer's revised offer does not address pay restoration for the past shortfall, nor does it guarantee an end to withholding AWP payments for reading room security personnel.
Furthermore, the commitment to paying the Living Wage only extends to a small percentage of staff and was stated before the strike action began.
The proposal has also introduced new concerns regarding pay compression at certain grades, significantly narrowing the differential between some levels.
While acknowledging the employer's financial difficulties following a recent cyberattack, members feel they should not bear the burden of the consequences.
Members have endured personal data theft, public hostility, and increased workloads due to the disruption caused by the cyber incident.
Following the rejection, the union has requested further improvements to the pay award by a specified deadline and indicated a willingness to escalate the dispute if demands remain unmet.
Members at the British Library are frustrated by ongoing delays in resolving this year's pay negotiations, which were due in August.
A formal offer was eventually presented in October, but it proposed only a 2.4% increase along with an £800 underpin, which did not meet expectations.
The organization is awaiting confirmation of the settlement from its overseeing department, with expectations that this will not occur until December.
Members have overwhelmingly voted to reject the submitted pay offer.
Despite recent discussions having a positive tone, a revised offer has not yet been presented.
A request for authorization to conduct a formal industrial action ballot is being sought if significant progress is not achieved soon.
Staff are reportedly dedicated to providing high-quality public services but feel their commitment is being disregarded.
There is a necessity for the Library to present an improved offer that properly values the workforce's contribution amidst the real-terms impact of pay restraint.
While the British Library initially proposed a pay award of 2%, with some receiving as little as 1.6%, it has since increased the offer to 2.4%. In a win for PCS, the British Library has now gone back on plans to offer £5,000 in annual bonuses to directors as part of a restructure. The decision was announced after PCS went public about the proposed restructure which would have seen the director team double, while offering workers a below-inflation pay award.
Over 300 PCS are expected to walk out from Monday 27 October until Sunday 9 November. The strike dates coincide with the two-year anniversary of a cyber-attack where staff members’ personal data was leaked on to the dark web, as well as the opening of a major new exhibition, ‘Secret Maps’.
British Library Strike Calendar
33 Strike Dates 0 Planned