British Library pay dispute

Workers at the world-famous British Library in central London have unanimously rejected the latest offer in their pay dispute.

They are determined to tackle low pay and to reverse the effective cuts in real wages after previous settlements.

Strong vote

Over 300 workers, members of the PCS union, were on strike for 14 days continuously up to 9 November, picketing with rallies every morning. The vote was strongly in favour of striking for an inflation-proof pay rise action – 98per cent on a turnout of 75 per cent.

They are also demanding restoration for last year’s pay shortfall and pay parity with librarians for security staff on alternative working patterns (AWP) wages for compressed hours.

Struggling

Feelings are running high. The workers accuse the employer of mismanagement. They describe their current pay as “poverty wages”, and say they struggle to make ends meet after suffering a two year real-terms pay cut.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote told the press that many members work second jobs and take out loans to pay their bills and meet housing costs.

Library management made two “derisory” offers way below inflation before the strike was called. They cited rising energy bills and cost of building materials, including £1.5 million for solar infrastructure.

Inadequate investment

Strike dates were chosen to coincide with the second anniversary of a cyber-attack, blamed on inadequate investment. Personal data of BL workers was leaked to the dark web – and they still have to work manually as a result of the hack.

The strikes also took place alongside the opening of a major new exhibition, Secret Maps. PCS asked visitors to cancel any tickets they might have purchased for events and to consider writing to guest speakers to drop out in solidarity.

“The union reports huge support.”

PCS reports huge support from other unions and the general public. Part of the Tales of the Weird festival at the Library over the Halloween weekend were cancelled. Author Joe Hill, son of horror writer Stephen King and other writers withdrew in sympathy with the strikers. Novelist Keith Rosson said, “I have profound respect for librarians as a profession...and won’t cross a picket line”.

Win

There was a win for the union when the Library was forced to go back on its restructuring plans. Strikers who spoke to Workers said this would have seen the executive team more than double to 24, with bonuses of £5,000 each, while offering workers a below-inflation pay award.

The CEO, whose idea this was, resigned mid-strike. According to some on the picket line, she also had plans to axe the post of Chief Librarian, which has remained vacant since July 2025.

Cost crisis

Anger on the picket was particularly shown for management pleading high energy costs – as if workers don’t have their own energy cost crisis. Yet they were told that the installation of solar technology would reduce the library’s energy bills and help preserve the precious collections.

But, according to Patrick Dixon, director of estates and construction, the project was about “commitment to environmental action”, funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which began in 2020 and continues under the present government.

And for that, the librarians and curators, security staff and other workers are now being asked to pay by accepting low wages.