PCS Launches Strike Ballot at the British Library

PCS is balloting members at the British Library (London branch) for strike action from today until noon on 13 October over the organisation’s failure to offer an above-inflation pay award for a second consecutive year. 

The trade dispute has arisen after repeated attempts by PCS to secure an above-inflation pay award. Indeed, the union pre-empted pay talks as early as 28 March to no avail.

Despite promises to meet with PCS on a weekly basis starting in May, this never happened. Rather, at the one and only informal pay talks meeting on 10 June, trade unions were informed of the British Library’s intention to offer a 2% pay “increase” to staff for 2025/26.

Two months later, we were informed there was no improvement in the library’s pay offer for 2025/26. Further, no pay data was provided, as is custom for the commencement of formal pay talks, until Friday (12).

Shocking treatment

Over the last two years, members have been subject to shocking treatment:

  1. In 2023, a cyber attack exposed members’ personal data on the dark web. When services were disrupted, they were left to face abuse from the public without meaningful intervention from management.
  2. In 2024, members were offered a below-inflation pay rise of 3% while senior management took home salaries ranging between £80k and £170k, as well as £10k to £15k in bonuses.
  3. Now, in 2025, a restructure is being proposed. Staff are being offered a paltry 2% pay award, with some receiving as little as 1.6%, and facing potential job losses. Simultaneously, the number of directors is set to double, with senior leaders in line for £5,000 in annual bonuses.

Commenting on the strike ballot, Hannah David, PCS Culture Group President, said: “PCS members at the British Library have shown remarkable patience, despite management’s repeated failures, including delayed pay talks, inadequate pay offers and an utter disregard for staff welfare. Now, staff are being asked to accept a real-terms pay cut while management rewards itself with potential bonuses and an expansion of the director team. This ballot is a necessary step in showing management that library workers will no longer accept being exploited.”

Vote in the postal ballot

As such, PCS is encouraging all British Library members to take part in the postal ballot by:

  1. Heading to PCS Digital to update your personal contact information, including your mobile phone, personal email address, and home address (including post code) so that your ballot is posted to the correct address.
  2. Following the new PCS Instagram account and PCS X account for the British Library as we will be using both accounts as a campaigning tool for public support on the dispute.
  3. Reading our FAQ document to answer any queries you may have about the balloting period.

If you aren’t a member of the British Library (London branch) you can support our campaigning efforts by following the branch’s social media accounts.

In the meantime, if you have any questions contact our culture group secretary, Hareem Ghani, on [email protected].