V&A Storehouse staff vote to strike over breaks
Prospect union members at the new east London site seek paid toilet and hydration breaks.
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Staff at the V&A Storehouse in east London have voted overwhelmingly to strike over inadequate toilet and hydration breaks. Prospect union members at the site are seeking two paid breaks each day for welfare reasons.
The new V&A Storehouse, which opened in May 2025, allows public access to the museum's collections. Collections access officers, who facilitate the 'order an object' service, are central to the dispute. Prospect union said these staff need scheduled time to use the toilet and hydrate during their work.
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Union members reported experiencing dehydration and a lack of access to bathroom facilities during their shifts. One member told The Guardian that staff often go without using the bathroom for the entire day due to the demands of their roles.
The union stated that a collective grievance failed to resolve the issue, describing the request for customary paid breaks as 'extremely reasonable'. Staff at the Storehouse, many recruited from the local community, feel they are treated worse than colleagues at other V&A sites.
At the Storehouse, 100% of those voting backed strike action on a turnout of nearly 88%. Across all V&A sites in London, 83% voted for strike action on an 82% turnout, as part of a wider dispute over pay and working conditions.
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Wider Dispute
The wider industrial action also includes demands for a minimum 4% pay rise for staff earning above the London living wage, which is £14.80 an hour. Prospect is also seeking time-and-a-half for bank holiday working and accreditation as a London living wage employer within 12 months.
The V&A has previously stated that all staff have access to water, toilet facilities, and regular breaks. The museum also pointed to additional measures introduced during the summer heatwave, including extra rest breaks and staff rotations.
Regarding living wage accreditation, the V&A has stated that while all its staff are paid at least the London living wage, some outsourced contractors are not. The museum has not yet become an accredited living wage employer, but this is under review.
Mike Clancy, Prospect's general secretary, said the situation reflected a 'shocking lack of respect' for staff. The timing of any industrial action has yet to be decided.
Questions this report answers
+What are the staff at the V&A Storehouse demanding?
Staff are demanding two paid daily breaks for toilet and hydration during their shifts. They argue these breaks are essential for health and welfare, especially as collections access officers often go without bathroom access all day. The union describes the request as 'extremely reasonable'.
+How did the vote on strike action go?
The vote was overwhelming, with 100% of Storehouse staff voting in favour of strike action on a turnout of nearly 88%. Across all V&A sites in London, 83% voted for strike action on an 82% turnout, reflecting broader discontent over pay and conditions.
+What other issues are part of the wider dispute?
The dispute also includes demands for a minimum 4% pay rise for staff earning above the London living wage, time-and-a-half for bank holiday working, and accreditation as a London living wage employer within 12 months. The V&A has not yet accredited but states all staff are paid at least the London living wage.
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