Museums staff strike suspended after pay offer

Union members have taken part in about 60 days of strikes since February

A strike by museum workers has been suspended after an improved pay offer.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union have taken more than 60 days of strikes at National Museums Liverpool (NML) sites since February.

The union said plans to strike between 28 May and 2 June have been put aside to allow members to vote on a £1,500 cost-of-living payment offer from management, which had been part of the government’s one-off plan for civil service workers in 2023.

NML director Laura Pye previously said the payment was "simply unaffordable" and the museums had already committed “to improve our pay and conditions”.

A PCS representative said the union was "putting the employer's improved offer to a ballot of all members" after discussions earlier in the week.

They said a strike across the Bank Holiday weekend would still go ahead.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said it was down to the "remarkable determination and creativity" of members "that we have negotiated an offer from management".

Temporary closures have impacted the Museum of Liverpool, the World Museum, the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum.

The Walker Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery have also been affected.