British Library (PCS) Strike Calendar
Strike Type: GOV
Latest Updates (3)
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’.
28 Strike Dates 0 Planned