British Library’s ‘Queer Fantasy’ goes up in smoke
International authors cancel tonight's gig in solidarity with striking staff.
A ‘Queer Fantasy’ event to be held this evening at the British Library has been cancelled after the international guest speakers were alerted to the ongoing strike by over 300 staff who are members of Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).Refusing to cross the picket line, all four guests cancelled their appearances: bestselling author Samantha Shannon, globally celebrated US author TJ Klune, World Fantasy Award-winning British author Tasha Suri, and the UK novelist and screenwriter Juno Dawson.
An email seen by PCS confirmed that Tasha Suri, a former library worker, had been unaware of the strike and would not betray those taking action. Speaking on Instagram, Juno Dawson said “Solidarity always with workers”, TJ Klune confirmed “I must support librarians”, and Samantha Shannon directed her followers to details about the ongoing industrial action.
It has also been confirmed that at least one speaker from the British Library’s event tomorrow (How Maps Win or Lose Wars) has also pulled out in solidarity. Further cancellations by visiting speakers during the period of strike action are expected.PCS members walked out on 27 October and will be on strike until 9 November. Their demands include an inflation-proof pay offer and restoration for last year’s pay shortfall. Most members struggle to make ends meet from month to month.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “A near unanimous vote for strike action is just a small glimpse into the strength of feeling among our members at the British Library.
“They are livid at yet another insulting pay offer that does little to alleviate the health problems that many suffer from because of low pay. Nor does it come close to ending the need for many to work second jobs and take out loans to pay their bills and meet their housing costs.
“The employer's well-paid executives need to take the blinkers off and understand that our hard-working members are what makes the British Library the vital cultural institution that it is."
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