V&A Storehouse staff vote to strike over breaks

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.