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Mining industry

National Coal Mining Museum Strike: Union Rejects 6% Pay Offer

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The UNISON union has confirmed that staff at the National Coal Mining Museum in Yorkshire will go ahead with a four-week strike, starting on Wednesday, August 20, and ending on Sunday, September 14. The strike will affect all underground tours at the museum. The union's rejection of the museum's 6% pay offer comes after a previous agreement on a 5% or £1 an hour wage increase was reneged on by management.

The dispute centers on the museum's management turning down a proposed pay rise of 5% or £1 an hour, whichever is higher, and instead offering 80p an hour or 5% for all workers, whichever is greater. The union argues that this proposal is inferior to the previous offer and shows a lack of value for staff. Rianne Hooley, UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser, stated that the new offer is a "clear demonstration of how little managers value staff."

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike will begin on Wednesday, August 20, and end on Sunday, September 14, affecting all underground tours at the National Coal Mining Museum.
  • The union rejected the museum's proposal of 80p an hour or 5% for all workers, whichever is greater, due to it being inferior to the previous offer.
  • The museum's management turned down a proposed pay rise of 5% or £1 an hour, whichever is higher, which was agreed upon previously.
  • The union argues that the new offer shows a lack of value for staff, with many earning around £12.60 per hour, not much more than the minimum wage.
  • The museum's management proposed an increased offer of over 6% for many staff, which is higher than pay settlements in the public sector, including police, local government, schools, and other museums.
  • The union refused to share the revised offer with staff to see if they wished to accept it.
  • The museum will remain open to visitors throughout the strike, with alternative activities and entertainment available.

Statistics:

  • The strike will last for 4 weeks, starting on August 20 and ending on September 14.
  • The museum's management proposed a 6% pay offer for many staff, which is higher than pay settlements in the public sector.
  • The median hourly wage for mine guides is £12.60, with many earning not much more than the minimum wage.
  • The museum will have underground tours affected during the strike period.

Sources:

  • (/topic/overton) Overton attraction
  • UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley
  • The Coal Mining (/topic/museum) Museum
  • (/topic/national-coal-mining-museum) National Coal Mining Museum

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