British Library on Strike: A round up

Between Monday 27 October and Sunday 9 November, over 300 PCS members at the British Library were on strike over the employer’s failure to offer an above-inflation pay award for a second consecutive year.

PCS organised 11 days of picketing in total, all of which were a resounding success. For many workers, this was their first time taking part in strike action – but you wouldn’t have known that from the electric atmosphere on the picket line. Most days consisted of regular chanting from picketers (“What do we want? Fair pay! When do we want it? Now!”), an impromptu chorus of Solidarity Forever, and an eclectic strike playlist including Skepta, Britney Spears and Billy Bragg.

British Library workers were also met with enormous public support. Picketers were routinely greeted with honks from passing cars, raised fists from passerby, and baked treats from supporters.

We also received donations towards PCS’s strike fund, including from the FBU. The FBU’s general secretary, Steve Wright, said “The FBU stands in solidarity with the striking workers of the British Library. All workers deserve respect, fair treatment, and appropriate compensation in return for their service”.

We welcomed over 20 speakers to the picket line including renowned trade union leaders, politicians, and writers. Some notable mentions include:

  • Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the RMT
  • Zack Polanski,eader of the Green Party and London Assembly member, and
  • Zadie Smith, novelist, essayist, and short-story writer.

Meanwhile, PCS’s parliamentary group tabled Early Day Motion 2103 on Strike Action at the British Library to express solidarity with striking workers, with has reached 19 signatures. A range of MPs visited the picket line including Apsana Begum, Jeremy Corbyn, Neil Duncan Jordan, and John McDonnell.

The dispute received a high level of press and media interest, including in The Independent, The Guardian and The Financial Times.

Read culture sector group secretary Hannah David's blog praising the strikers.

During the second week of strike action came the shock announcement of the British Library’s chief executive, Rebecca Lawrence. Although the British Library has remained tight-lipped about the CEO’s departure, we suspect PCS’s ongoing strike action contributed to the decision. And on 6 November, striking workers were surprised to be joined on the picket line by the interim CEO, Dr. Jeremy Silver, who expressed his desire to resolve the dispute as a matter of urgency.