Support PCS Tate strikers

More than 150 members at Tate Galleries are taking seven consecutive days of strike action from tomorrow (26) until 2 December. Pickets will be taking place at Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, and Tate Modern – so please support them.

The dispute centres on the Tate's failure to offer an above-inflation pay rise for a second consecutive year – amounting to a real-terms pay cut. In an astounding result for PCS, a recent ballot returned a turnout of 87.7%, with an overwhelming 98% voting in favour of strike action.

While pickets will only be taking place at three sites, the action involves members at Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, Tate Modern, Tate St Ives, and Tate Stores. The first day of strike action is set to coincide with the autumn budget in the hope of drawing attention to how a reduction in grant-in-aid funding has negatively impacted cultural institutions across the country.

The action is expected to cause disruption for visitors to Tate Modern and the new Turner and Constable exhibition at Tate Britain, which opens on Thursday (27), as well as delaying the installation of an exhibition at Tate St Ives. The Tate has also announced that its two exhibitions at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North will be temporarily closed from 26 November to 2 December inclusive due to the action.

PCS has an exciting schedule of speakers lined up for the pickets including:

  • Hannah David, PCS Vice President  and Culture Group President
  • Eddie Dempsey, RMT General Secretary
  • Steve Wright, FBU General Secretary
  • Lindsey Young, curator of the exhibition Women in Revolt
  • Owen Jones, journalist

and many, many more.

The impact of low pay

Tate’s current offer of just 3% leaves employees facing a real-terms pay cut at a time when the cost-of-living is sharply increasing. In a survey conducted by PCS, for example, over 70% of respondents indicated their current salary was not sufficient to meet basic living costs including groceries, bills, and transportation costs.

PCS members shared heartbreaking testimonies of experiencing in-work poverty. One member recounted: “I love my work and feel it’s so important but it’s hard to be motivated and be happy doing a job that doesn’t cover your costs and I’m struggling to see a future in the arts where I feel secure,” said one member.

While another stated: “I can’t afford the basics and have to cut down on food, social activities and health activities. My mental health is suffering due to anxiety as I’ve been living in my overdraft since last year.”

Next steps

Following the outcome of the ballot, PCS invited Tate Galleries to convene intensive talks to resolve the ongoing dispute.  Since then, both parties have met twice on 14 November, and again, on 25 November. Future meetings are due to follow, with the hope that a resolution can be reached to stave off further strike action in 2026.

Send messages of support to PCS Culture Group Secretary, Hareem Ghani: [email protected].

Keep updated on the strike by following us X and Instagram.

Support the pickets

Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG

26-28 November and 1 December at Tate Britain

8.30am to noon

29 and 30 November

9am to noon.

Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG

26 and 27 November and 2 December

8.30am to noon.

28 November

4-8pm

30 November

9am to 1pm.

Riba North, Liverpool

Tate Liverpool members are holding a picket outside Riba North, 21 Mann Island, Liverpool waterfront, L3 1BP from 8.30am to noon on Thursday and Friday.

Show solidarity

Show your support by:

  • Refusing to cross the picket line for the whole strike period
  • Joining one of the picket lines at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and Tate Liverpool
  • Showing support for the strike on social media using the hashtag #TateOnStrike
  • Encouraging speakers across Tate Galleries to withdraw from events in solidarity with striking workers
  • Taking part in our e-action, and
  • Donating to PCS’ strike fund.