British Library staff announce further strikes

Over 300 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) working in the British Library will strike from Monday 8 to Friday 12 December 2025 in a continued dispute over pay. The workers demand an inflation-proof pay rise and restoration for last year’s sub-inflation pay award. [see notes below]

This comes in a catalogue of senior level crises. While the departure last month of CEO Rebecca Lawrence only ten months into her tenure is still unexplained, the Library also lacks a Chief Librarian. The absence of stable leadership has significantly undoubtedly undermined staff confidence, and its status as a world-leading cultural institution, yet executives pocket five- and six-figure salaries. [see notes below]

Aside from low pay and a crisis of leadership, members also face the ongoing aftermath of the cyber-attack attack in 2023 in which their details and addresses were published on the dark web. Their workloads have more than doubled through additional responsibilities, and are made harder through increased abuse from service users, with inadequate support from management.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote says:

“By meeting our members’ simple and fair demands, leadership at British Library can restore trust from its staff and send a clear message to government about the need to properly fund the UK’s vibrant but imperilled culture sector.

“We call on managers to rally and protect the institution they believe in. They must acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their staff. And they must focus budgets accordingly - on the poorest paid who are least rewarded.”

Notes

1. Pay: The 3% pay offer this year does not address the severe pay compression that continues to reduce any gap between Grades D and C. Further, it fails to address central demands on pay restoration for last year’s shortfall, or an immediate end to the non-payment of Alternative Working Patterns (AWP) for security staff in reading rooms on a four-day week working pattern. A survey this year showed members face increased poverty and debt, with a concurrent rise in health issues
2. Recent negotiations: Since Rebecca Lawrence’s resignation, PCS has met with the Interim Chief Executive, Jeremy Silver, on two occasions to continue discussions on the pay dispute. Senior management has so far offered to address the issue of Grace C compression by proposing a £2,000 increase to the Band C minimum (over and above the 3.8% increase already proposed).  However, the Library rejected PCS’ demands to redress last year’s shortfall and the an alternative working pattern allowance for security staff to address their low pay. PCS intends to consult with its members on the matter before returning to the Library.
3. Funding: The British Library has cited various financial pressures - in particular, the sub-inflation government funding, which reflects the real terms 1.4% cut to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in the latest Spending Review. Yet executives take home salaries ranging between £80,000 and £170,000 with £15,000 and £10,000 bonuses in 2023/24 for the then Chief Executive and his Deputy.