'Staff have been left with no option’: Mining museum strike extended again until SUMMER

More than 40 workers walked out in mid-August last year in a dispute over pay, and have been on strike ever since.

The strike was due to run until the end of January and has already been extended three times. Workers have now been reballoted, and have voted overwhelmingly to extend the action until the end of June.

UNISON says staff have been left with ‘no option’ other than to continue the walkout due to the “behaviour of museum chief executive Lynn Dunning” who “has failed to return to negotiations with an acceptable offer,” which the union said it believes demonstrates a “lack of leadership at the helm of the popular attraction.”

Since staff walked out, UNISON says senior managers at the museum have put forward just one revised pay offer, which “for many members of staff, the terms were worse than a proposal rejected before the strike action began.”

UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said: “The decision to extend this strike is a clear signal that staff are committed to securing a fair wage and protecting this important link to the history of coal mining.

“These workers won’t be able to provide underground tours and tell their stories forever.

“They're determined to ensure a pay structure is put in place that will attract others to continue telling the story of coal mining when they're no longer able.

“It’s vital the museum produces an acceptable offer so these workers can get back to doing what they do so well.”

In a statement, The National Coal Mining Museum said: “The museum is saddened that Unison has chosen to issue this statement today, particularly as they are aware that the Charity’s Executive were meeting with ACAS to discuss a further offer and continue constructive negotiations.

"Throughout the entirety of the industrial action, the charity has consistently engaged in constructive negotiations and dialogue with the aim of resolving the situation quickly.

"The charity has continued to compromise and has presented several offers aimed at reaching a fair and sustainable agreement for both staff and the organisation.

"Unfortunately, each of these offers has been rejected by Unison.

"We remain committed to working collaboratively through ACAS to find a positive way forward and hope this offer will be agreed.

“The charity remains committed to recognising expertise, rewarding the valuable contributions of all team members, and making decisions guided by fairness and affordability.”