British Library dispute ends with improved pay offer

PCS members at the British Library have voted overwhelmingly to endorse their branch executive committee’s recommendation to allow the imposition of a new pay offer, bringing an end to the six-month long dispute with the employer.

While the revised pay offer falls short of PCS’s national pay claim, it represents a significant improvement on the employer’s initial offer of 1.6%.

Backdated to August 2025, the new pay offer includes:

• A consolidated increase of 4% for grades A and below
• London Living Wage for those earning below the threshold
• An additional £2,000 uplift for Grade C minimums to address the issue of pay compression
• An allowances review focused on addressing the non-payment of alternative working patterns for security staff, which particularly affects BAME staff.

The British Library also reversed its decision to enact a senior management restructure which would have seen directors awarded £5,000 in potential annual 

This dispute was won through the collective hard work of all members, including Reading Room security officers who successfully shut down all Reading Rooms in the last round of strike action between 8 and 12 December. Branch members organised successful and vibrant picket lines and protests that were attended by members in their hundreds, attracting public support and positive media coverage.

Since the start of the trade dispute in August, PCS has made significant gains at the British Library including rapid growths in membership, making PCS the largest trade union on site, increasing our strength and bargaining power. PCS intends to present our 2026/27 pay claim to the employer as soon as possible, to make the case for full pay restoration for 2023/24 when British Library workers were awarded 3%, while other public sector workers received 5% in line with the Civil Service Pay Remit.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said "Moving this offer from a ridiculous 1.6% to 4% happened because our members ran an exceptional campaign, hundreds on the picket lines, public backing from figures like Zadie Smith, and pressure that reached the very top with the CEO’s resignation.

“This process was repeatedly undermined by the British Library’s actions, from premature media announcements to withheld information and attempts to impose the offer.

“It’s not everything our members deserve, but it’s a clear step forward, and we will continue fighting for fair pay and dignity at work for every single one of them.”