British Library - PCS

We’ve been a bit too quiet for a while… but we are getting ready for a second round of strike action at the British Library commencing Monday 8th December until Friday 12th December! See you on the picket line everyday between 9am and 1pm!

Read Claudia Cockerell's article about the British Library: cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. standard.co.uk/news/london/br…

This year, Tate Galleries embarked on a “cost-saving” restructure which included mass redundancies, the closure of staff canteens, and the scrapping subsidised meals in favour of vending machines. Here you can see some delicious fungus sandwiches available to Tate staff!

#NSSN supporting @BritLibraryPCS #BritishLibraryOnStrike @pcs_union @PCSL_SE @PCSCultureGroup

We were delighted to be joined by Eddie Dempsey from the @RMTunion on the picket line yesterday. Here is a short video of him explaining why a pay increase for British Library workers is possible despite management's claims!

“Working-class people are being pushed out of culture. It’s becoming a middle-class profession, because you can’t be a breadwinner and work at the library.” graceblakeley.substack.com/p/you-should-b…

The wonderful @graceblakeley has published a blog about the ongoing strike action at the British Library, give it a read! open.substack.com/pub/graceblake…

Over 100 people on the @pcs_union picket at the British Library! #BritishLibraryOnStrike

More pictures from today!

🚨PCS Press Release “Skip presents this year”, low-paid Library staff told. While its staff strike over low pay, the British Library has suggested they think about avoiding Christmas presents. Last week, staff were sent an internal newsletter which promotes being “in extremely good health and spirits”. As part of its concern to maximise Christmas joy, the newsletter’s author acknowledges the extremely low wages of some staff and helpfully suggests: “Consider having a conversation with loved ones about the cost-of-living crisis and propose that you mutually skip presents this year.” Nearly 350 British Library staff, members of Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) began a second wave of strikes today (8) over a sub-inflation pay offer that was below the recommended public service improvement level. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “By meeting our members’ simple and fair demands, leadership at British Library can restore trust from its staff and send a clear message to government about the need to properly fund the UK’s vibrant but imperilled culture sector. “We call on managers to rally and protect the institution they believe in. They must acknowledge the hard work and dedication of its staff. And they must focus budgets accordingly - on the poorest paid who are least rewarded."

130 PCS members on the British Library picket line this morning!

@wylie_alan Thank you for your solidarity !

Solidarity to all those taking strike action at the British Library, your fight is our fight ✊ @BritLibraryPCS

The Telegraph: British Library tells staff to skip Christmas presents as it battles pay strikes telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/…

FIVE CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF STRIKE ACTION AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY STARTS TODAY🚨💥

@kmflett @pcs_union @LSHGofficial Thank you!!!

@BritLibraryPCS @pcs_union Full support from the London Socialist Historians Group @LSHGofficial wp.me/p15p2Q-fFl

Tomorrow, Monday 8th December, some 350 @pcs_union members will go on strike for 5 consecutive days over the British Library’s continued refusal to offer workers an RPI-linked pay rise and restoration from last year’s shortfall. See you on the picket line!

Proud to stand alongside workers from the National Coal Mining Museum today. It is hugely important that the legacy of coal mining areas are remembered. So I urge the trustees to resolve this dispute and reopen the museum.

In case you didn’t know how out of touch the British Library is, here is a health and wellbeing newsletter they shared with staff advising them not to purchase gifts this Xmas season ! Perhaps the library could consider giving its workers a better pay award - just a suggestion!

British Library strike dates announced! #BritishLibraryOnStrike