Next period of strike action to start in Liverpool museums on Saturday

National Museums Liverpool (NML) is the only employer out of over 200 covered by the civil service pay remit guidance to withhold the £1,500 cost-of-living payment recommended by the government last year as part of its improved pay offer following PCS campaigning.

The eight weeks of strike action taken so far by members at NML have led to widespread museum and gallery closures affecting the Museum of Liverpool, the World Museum, the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum, as well as the Walker Art Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Despite some negotiations with the employer, management is yet to make an acceptable offer and therefore members will take a further 30 days of discontinuous strike action over the next three months, targeting the busiest periods of footfall, at weekends and school holidays.

The first weekend of strike action on 4, 5 and 6 May coincides with the opening of a new, ticketed, exhibition at the World Museum and members will hold picket lines outside the museum from 9am – 12:30pm each day.

Other strike dates are 11 and 12 May, 18 and 19 May, 25 May to 2 June, 8 and 9 June, 15 and 16 June, 22 and 23 June, 29 and 30 June, 6 and 7 July, 13 and 14 July and 20 and 21 July.

There has been huge public support for the strikers so far with many visitors refusing to cross picket lines and leaving comments in support of the strikers on NML’s own social media channels. The picket lines have been lively and vibrant, using the many skills of the museum workers to entertain and engage while getting the message across that this dispute will not go away.

Picket lines

There will be a picket line at World Museum Liverpool, William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN, from 9-12:30 on every strike day. Please come along to show your support.