Museum staff walk out in pay row

Museum of London said its pay offer was bound by government rules

About 200 museum staff in London have walked out in a row over pay.

Workers at the Museum of London and the organisation's Archaeology Services have gone on strike in protest at a two-year 2% pay rise.

The Prospect union, which called the one-day strike, accused the government of "tying the hands" of staff.

A statement from the Museum of London acknowledged that staff were "unhappy" with the pay deal. It added that both places are open despite the strike.

'Antediluvian pay'

The union said the below-inflation deal had been intended to come into effect during 2007 and 2008 and therefore had come 13 months late.

It added that staff voted by a majority of nine to one in favour of the strike but the museum said the figure was only half of that.

Dave Allen, a union official, said: "Our members' dedication to conveying the importance of London's history and archaeology does not mean they will put up with antediluvian pay.

"The government has tied the museum's hand at a time when it knew that a fair award was essential to retain specialist staff.

"Historically the specialist expertise of our members in the heritage sector has never been matched by their pay," he said.

The museum said it "recognises that staff are unhappy with the pay settlement for 2007/08 which was delayed because of the comprehensive spending review.

"In fact, the Museum had budgeted for a higher settlement, but was denied the opportunity to offer this to staff."

The museum added it was bound by public sector pay policy set by the government.

Museum staff from York, Bradford and Swindon will also walk-out later in the week.