Support the British Library strikers

More than 300 PCS members at the British Library in London are striking over their poverty wages for two weeks from Monday (27) to Sunday, 9 November and need your support in person and online.

Our members voted 98.23% in favour of industrial action on a turnout of 75.17%. The strike dates coincide with the two-year anniversary of a cyber-attack where staff members’ personal data was leaked on to the dark web, as well as the opening of a major new exhibition, Secret Maps.

Their key demand is for an inflation-proof pay rise with restoration, after a second consecutive year of a real-terms pay cut. In a recent survey of British Library members, we found that most struggle each month to make ends meet.

While the British Library initially proposed a pay award of 2%, with some receiving as little as 1.6%, they have since increased the offer to 2.4%, which is still way below inflation, citing rising costs across the board including energy bills and building materials.

Workers at the British Library are fed up. It’s no wonder that the PCS ballot returned a result of 98% voting in favour of strike action on a turnout of 75%.

Key demands

Our members are demanding:

  • An inflation-proof pay rise;
  • Restoration for last year’s pay shortfall, and;
  • Payment of alternative working patterns (AWP) wages for security staff on compressed hours.

One member explained why they are striking: “I am being made to pay for the library's incompetence. What keeps me going is my sense of duty to the profession and public service, but my patience is wearing thin. I have children to feed. Why should my family suffer because of the library's inability to manage itself?”

How you can support the action

  • Join us on the picket line between Monday, 27 October and Sunday, 9 November every day from 8am to midday – details below.
  • Share messages of solidarity on social media using the hashtag #BritishLibraryOnStrike.
  • Complete our e-action to ask MPs to call for increased grant in aid funding for the library.
  • Ask your MP to support our Early Day Motion on pay at the library.
  • Follow us on social media: X: @BritLibrary; Instagram: BritishLibraryPCS
  • Donate to our strike fund so workers can continue to strike with no loss of pay.

Picket line and rally timings

Come and show your support for our members on their picket outside the Midland Road entrance of the British Library (postcode N1C 4BS). They will be there every morning of the strike from 8am until noon.

There will also be rallies on 27, 28, 29 October and 1, 4 November from 11am to noon and 6 November from 6.30 to 7.30pm.