The museum said that due to strike action only ‘a limited number of galleries will be open’ and the ‘rest of the museum will be closed’
Much of the V&A in South Kensington will be closed on Friday and Saturday (September 25/26) as workers walk out as a dispute over pay and conditions intensifies
The V&A has said that, besides a limited number of galleries and the cafe, they “expect the rest of the museum will be closed”. The museum’s sites in other parts of London, such as the Young V&A, are not currently affected, but the Prospect and the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said staff at those sites were also in dispute over the same issues.
Prospect is calling for a minimum 4 per cent pay increase for staff earning above the living wage, along with other benefits, including time-and-a-half for bank holiday working.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: “Our members have been left with no choice but to take strike action by a senior management which continues to not engage seriously on our very reasonable demands.
“Directors at V&A continue to demonstrate their lack of respect for the very people who make the museum what it is – its dedicated, highly qualified staff.
“The V&A can still avoid this strike, but it needs actual effort to meet our terms and for senior management to demonstrate that they are serious about wanting to find a solution.”
The V&A said in a statement: “Due to planned industrial action on September 25 and 26, 2026, V&A South Kensington will be operating a reduced visitor offer.
“Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, the café and a limited number of galleries will be open, but we expect the rest of the museum will be closed.
“Young V&A, V&A East Museum and Storehouse will be open as usual, including Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends at Young V&A and The Music is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum.
“We deeply regret that the trade unions have voted for strike action. We have been negotiating with them in good faith since February and have met the majority of their demands with a significantly improved offer, which we believe is fair, competitive and affordable.
“We remain available for negotiations with our trade union colleagues.”
