My first time striking has been inspiring
A Tate worker who has been on strike reflects on the reasons they're taking action and attending their first picket lines.
Angry over low pay, I have just taken strike action for the first time ever.
I felt quite nervous because, before last week, I had never been on a picket line. But I soon realised I was not alone: that me and my Tate colleagues were standing together in solidarity to fight for fair wages.
I am a member of staff in Collection Care at Tate. Since reopening Tate after the lockdown in 2021, our duties, workloads and responsibilities have gradually increased. We now have fewer staff after multiple rounds of voluntary redundancies and restructuring.
Our wages also remain below the current cost of living in London, which is one of the most expensive cities in the world. I can manage a basic life, but it is difficult to save money and support my family.
In addition, our favourite staff canteens were closed this year to save money for Tate. I strongly believe the canteens were one of the greatest benefits of working at Tate; one of the main shared spaces where colleagues from all departments could meet.
Yet despite these closures, it was exciting being able to use our boisterous picket lines to meet so many PCS members from across Tate, as well as supporters from other groups who sent their solidarity to us.
During the past week of strike action, I have felt a strong sense of unity and harmony. Everything was well organised, and our aims were very clear.
As the creative placards being held by colleagues made clear, staff are struggling financially, and below-inflation pay rises are just not enough.
I really hope that Tate will open pay increase negotiations with PCS. Our wages urgently need to rise so we can support ourselves and our loved ones.