Security guard strikes at Natural History and Science Museums suspended pending talks

Security guards at the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum suspended a planned strike on this week (03 December) to allow for talks at ACAS with their outsourcing contractor, Wilson James.

The security guards, who are members of United Voices of the World (UVW) union, are asking Wilson James for a pay rise to £16 an hour, full sick pay and a week more annual leave.

The guards have already taken strike action over 13 days since late October. Planned action from 8 December to 15 December is on hold pending the outcome of the talks.

Guards currently earn £13.15 an hour after a pay increase awarded in September 2024 and backdated to April 2024, which is below the London Real Living Wage of £13.85, which was set in October 2024.

Kingsley Ampofo, a UVW member and security guard at the Natural History Museum said: “The refusal of Wilson James to offer security guards a decent wage in these harsh economic times is having a serious impact on our wellbeing.

“We have to work more days as overtime to make ends meet at the expense of our health and our families.

“Every member of the museum’s workforce, including the directors, have received a decent rise in their wages. So why not the security guards who work their socks off to ensure the safety of both people and property?”

Natural History Museum and Science Museum Group have refuted claims that the walkouts have caused disruption to the museum’s running, resulting in visitors being turned away.

A Science Museum Group spokesperson told Arts Professional: “We continue to welcome thousands of visitors to the museum as usual each day”, while a Natural History Museum spokesperson said the organisation had “continued to welcome visitors as usual” throughout the period.