Members at National Library of Wales vote for strike action
In the ballot that closed yesterday (9) 95% of members said they were willing to take strike action over detrimental changes to their pensions.
PCS members at the National Library of Wales have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action in response to detrimental pension changes put forward by the employer, which would leave members paying more and working longer. The statutory ballot on industrial action closed on 9 July.
On a turnout of 81.13%, 95.35% of members voted in favour of taking strike action, while 88.37% backed taking action short of a strike.
Prospect union members at the National Library have also voted in favour of industrial action.
The vote for industrial action sends a strong message to library management that it urgently needs to rethink the pension changes and return to the negotiating table. Moving forward the PCS branch has developed a programme of industrial action for the coming weeks and months.
The National Library pension dispute was one of the main issues raised by PCS in a meeting with Heledd Fychan, the Welsh Government minister for culture and sport on 8 July, at which branch reps raised members’ concerns. The meeting also covered issues related to Museum Wales, the new Welsh Government culture strategy consultation, and the Welsh Government’s proposed Creative and Culture Forum, which will cover fair work, pay, and terms and conditions across the sector.
Members at the National Library are fighting for a fair pension that will put them on a par with other workers in the Welsh devolved sector. Send your messages of support to [email protected].