Outsourced security guards at the Natural History and Science museums are planning to go on strike for six days due to issues regarding their pay and working conditions. The strike is scheduled to take place during the school half-term, including the weekend of October 25 to 27 and again from October 30 to November 1, which coincides with Halloween.
According to the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, the security guards at the two South Kensington museums have been experiencing significant pay cuts in real terms for several years. Many of the workers, who are migrants, feel that they are among the lowest-paid staff at the museums. The union conducted a ballot for strike action last month, with 96 percent of the 95 percent turnout supporting the decision to strike.
Charles Fuller, a security guard at the Natural History Museum for 19 years and a UVW member, expressed his frustration with the current situation. He mentioned that despite the important role they play as guardians of culture and history, security guards are the lowest-paid employees in the building. Fuller emphasized the need for fair treatment and better wages to support their families.
The union is advocating for a wage increase to £16 per hour and full sick pay for the security guards. Currently, the workers earn £11.95 per hour, slightly above the minimum wage. UVW stated that the guards are set to receive an increase to the current London Living Wage of £13.15 per hour, which was implemented in October 2023. However, the guards view this raise as insufficient, especially considering that their last wage increase was only 4.5 percent and came below the inflation rate at the time, which was 11 percent.
The security guards are employed by contractor Wilson James, which has a contract worth over £63 million for providing security services to the museums. UVW claimed that Wilson James and the museums have been unwilling to negotiate with the security guards and their union. Petros Elia, the general secretary for UVW, highlighted the disparity between the guards’ stagnant wages and the increasing profits of Wilson James, calling for a fair distribution of resources.
In response to the strike threat, a spokeswoman for Wilson James emphasized the company’s appreciation for the security guards and their crucial role in safeguarding the museums. She assured that the company is committed to maintaining service quality and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of visitors, especially families and children during the half-term period. Wilson James recently reached an agreement to increase Security Officers’ pay to £13.15 per hour, retroactive to April 2024, aligning with their status as a London Living Wage accredited employer.
