Workers at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London have voted in favor of strike action during heatwaves, citing concerns over high temperatures, access to drinking water, pay, and working conditions. The ballot included more than 300 employees across four V&A sites: the main museum in South Kensington, V&A East Museum and V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, and the Young V&A in Bethnal Green.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which initiated the strike ballot on Thursday, highlighted "serious and unresolved concerns" affecting staff. While the union is advocating for a minimum 4% pay increase, there are substantial safety worries related to staff health amid soaring temperatures. The union has called for management to establish a formal policy that would close public areas when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, introduce heat mitigation measures for frontline and back-of-house workers, and permit staff at the V&A East Storehouse to carry and consume drinking water during work hours. According to the union, current rules require workers to wait for relief from colleagues before taking a drink, which they argue is impractical in heat conditions. Additionally, the PCS is pushing for the V&A to become an accredited living wage employer in London, where the current living wage stands at £14.80 per hour.

The V&A confirmed that all directly employed staff receive at least the London living wage but acknowledged that some outsourced contractors do not. The museum has yet to obtain accredited living wage status but plans to review this later in the year. By contrast, V&A Dundee, outside London, is already an accredited living wage employer and is not included in the strike ballot.

Responding to the dispute, a V&A spokesperson noted that negotiations with the union have been ongoing since February. The museum emphasized steps taken to safeguard staff during recent heatwaves, including additional rest breaks, increased rotation of staff across galleries, the temporary closure of several galleries at the South Kensington site, and the closure of the Young V&A on 11 days during peak heat periods. The spokesperson also clarified that for security reasons around national collections, food and drink are not permitted during "Order an Object" appointments at the V&A East Storehouse, where visitors are accompanied by staff.

The strike ballot underscores wider concerns in the cultural sector over worker conditions amid climate challenges and ongoing debates about fair pay and welfare. Negotiations continue as the museum and union seek to resolve outstanding issues.