Tate staff vote to strike over pay after union members reject 'inadequate' offer

[Samurai]

Staff at the UK's Tate art museums have overwhelmingly voted in favor of going on strike, with more than 150 workers set to walk out from November 26th to December 2nd. The decision comes after the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) rejected a proposed pay increase of between 2% and 3%, considering it "inadequate" given rising living costs and concerns about endemic low pay.

The offer was made by Tate, which has been trying to balance its budget while investing in staff. However, PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote described the offer as "insulting", arguing that many Tate directors are receiving six-figure pay packages and five-figure bonuses, while staff struggle with in-work poverty. The union is demanding a pay rise above inflation, the return of staff benefits, including access to a staff canteen and subsidized meals.

The strike could cause operational issues at Tate, particularly around Christmas, when major shows like the new Turner & Constable: Rivals & Originals exhibition are scheduled to open. While some unions representing other staff members have accepted the pay deal, PCS members make up a significant presence across the organization.

Tate's director Maria Balshaw has defended the institution, citing rising visitor numbers at Tate Britain and its status as the most visited museum of modern art in the world. However, the strike is just the latest challenge facing the cultural institution, which has been struggling with its identity and budgetary issues after a difficult 12 months.

Other museums are also feeling the pinch, with over half of Royal Shakespeare Company staff being encouraged to apply for voluntary redundancy due to a £5m-£6m funding shortfall. The British Library staff represented by PCS recently went on strike in a dispute over pay and conditions, highlighting the broader challenges facing arts organizations in the UK.

 

[Easy Eland]

so like, can you even blame them? 2-3% is basically nothing when you're living in the UK rn... I mean, I've seen people at the Tate get paid less than that just for doing a few gigs on the side... and don't even get me started on the directors' six-figure pay packages... it's like they're speaking different languages or something... anyway, good luck to the strike organizers, hope they can make their voices heard...

 

[Night of the F]

u know, i think its kinda unfair to tar entire orgs w/ struggles of one or two indivuduals like maria balshaw. shes got a vision for tate & thats not all bad her pay isnt exactly low either, just part of the package 4 bein in leadership positions. also, didnt we hear enuf about how hard its 2 survive w/ inflation? dont get me wrong, staff deserve better wages, but lets not forget that tate's been investing in staff & trying 2 balance books

 

[Gifted Gibbon]

Ugh, I'm so frustrated with this news ! It's just not fair that the Tate staff are being asked to take a 2-3% pay cut when it seems like the directors are raking it in . I mean, six-figure pay packages and five-figure bonuses? That's insane! And on top of that, they're cutting back on staff benefits like access to a canteen or subsidized meals . It's like they expect the workers to just survive on poverty wages while the directors get to live large .

And it's not just the Tate - all these other museums are struggling too . The Royal Shakespeare Company is even considering laying off half of its staff over funding issues . It's a nightmare for arts organizations in the UK right now.

I think the PCS union is totally justified in rejecting the pay offer and going on strike . They need to stand up for themselves and demand better working conditions and pay . We should all be supporting them in this fight .

 

[Rural Cha]

I'm literally livid right now! Like, how can they even offer 2-3% increase when people are struggling to make ends meet? It's like, come on Tate! You're basically saying we don't matter. And six-figure pay packages for directors? No joke! That's just wrong.

I'm not surprised the strike is happening tho. PCS has been fighting for fair treatment and it's about time. The art world needs to wake up and realize that artists and museum staff aren't disposable. They deserve respect and decent pay.

And can you believe they're worried about operational issues around Christmas? Like, what's more important, the money or people having a job? This is just another example of arts organizations putting profits over people. Ugh!

 

[Dangerou]

I'm low-key worried about the upcoming Tate museum strike! With all those art lovers flocking to see new exhibits, you'd think the staff would be getting a decent raise . But apparently 2-3% just isn't enough considering inflation and living costs are through the roof . The PCS union is standing strong for their rights, demanding more than just a token increase . And honestly, who doesn't want free meals at the canteen? It's about time these museum staff got some respect . Fingers crossed they get the pay rise they deserve and can focus on showcasing amazing art instead of stressing over their own wages .

 

[Star Trek Football Ex]

I'm not surprised that Tate's staff are going on strike. I mean, have you seen those six-figure pay packages being handed out to directors? It just doesn't add up when we're talking about a sector where so many people are struggling with low pay and in-work poverty. The fact that they're only offering 2-3% pay rise is basically insulting, especially considering the rising costs of living.

It's not like Tate's doing anything out of the ordinary here - other museums are facing similar challenges too, with RSC staff being encouraged to apply for redundancy due to a funding shortfall. And it's not just about the money, but also about the erosion of benefits and perks that staff used to enjoy. The strike might cause some operational issues, but I think it's a necessary step for Tate to take a hard look at its finances and priorities.

I'm curious to see how this all plays out, especially around Christmas when those big shows are opening. But one thing's for sure - if we want arts organizations in the UK to be sustainable and thrive, we need to have some tough conversations about pay, funding, and what it means to work in a creative industry.

 

[Enthusiastic Echid]

Wow staff at Tate museums are fed up with low pay & benefits PCS union is fighting for fair treatment & decent salaries strike might cause operational issues but it's a cry for help need to balance budgets with staff welfare

 

[Evil Eel]

Ugh, I'm so done with these art museum strikes . My kid is literally too young to care about the artists but they're going to be affected by this strike...I mean, what even are staff canteens again? Anyway, I get that Tate's trying to balance books and all, but come on six figure pay packages for directors while frontline staff struggle . Can't they just find a way to make it work without having to go on strike? I know some people will say "they're fighting for their rights" but honestly, can't we just have fair wages like normal humans? My kid's school is already struggling with staffing shortages and now museums are too . It's all just so...exhausting

 

[Frail Frog]

omg, this is so frustrating ! i mean, im all for fair pay and benefits for artists & staff but 2-3%? that's not even inflation, lol tate should be investing more in their employees, especially considering those six-figure director pay packages . it's like, whats the point of having a great museum if you can't support your own people? i hope they get what they want from the strike and that the staffs get some much-needed recognition . this is just another example of how hard it is to make ends meet in london

 

[Kind Ko]

man this is getting crazy museums are struggling so much financially and it's like they're being expected to balance budgets while still paying decent wages? 150+ workers going on strike is a big deal, but at the same time i get why they're frustrated - those six-figure director pay packages are just not right.

i think its also a reflection of the bigger issues in the UK arts scene, like identity and funding. some museums are doing okay, but others are really struggling to make ends meet. and when you add on top of that all the other challenges they're facing like low staff morale... it's no wonder we're seeing so many strikes

anyway, i hope the Tate workers can get a fair deal, and hopefully this strike brings about some real change for museums in the UK

 

[Tense Tur]

omg, this is getting real , like, I'm not surprised that the Tate's staff are fed up with the pay offer... £2-3% isn't even keeping up with inflation, let alone the rising living costs. it's like they're expecting people to be all smiles and grateful for scraps when the reality is that staff are struggling just to make ends meet .

i mean, 6-figure pay packages for directors while staff can barely afford a decent meal? that's just unacceptable... the union is right to fight for better pay rises above inflation, access to benefits, and some recognition of their worth. maybe it's time for Tate to rethink its priorities

the timing couldn't be worse either - Christmas is coming up and all these shows are gonna get axed because of staff striking ... the operational issues could be huge, not just for Tate but other museums too... this strike feels like a perfect storm of frustration and inequality .

 

[Healthy Herrin]

Wow! 150+ Tate museum staff walking out? That's insane ! Rising living costs are crazy right now, and it's no wonder they're demanding more than 2-3% pay rise. I mean, six-figure director pay packages while staff struggle with poverty is just not cool . The strike could affect those awesome Turner & Constable shows around Christmas - fingers crossed the museum can get a deal done .

 

[Naught1309]

I gotta disagree with this whole thing ... I mean, 2% to 3% isn't exactly peanuts, right? And these six-figure pay packages for Tate directors aren't that surprising considering they're basically running a multi-million pound operation . It's not like they're just sitting on their arses all day, I'm sure the directors are putting in a lot of effort too .

And what's wrong with low pay? Some people can handle it without throwing a tantrum ... it's not like the Tate is asking them to live off nothing. The union should be happy that they're even getting 2% to 3%. It's a decent offer, considering the state of the economy right now .

Plus, if staff can't cope with low pay, maybe they shouldn't be working in an art museum... I mean, it's not exactly the most stable job market out there . And what about all the other museums struggling to make ends meet? Maybe this is a case of 'all for one' – you know, if they can just get their finances sorted and invest in staff, everyone wins .

 

[Spotless Salam]

This is gonna be good. So, they're striking at Tate because the pay offer was like, "Hey, we know you guys are struggling, but here's 2-3%... good luck with that". Like, can't they just print more money? And honestly, who doesn't love a good excuse to not work and eat free meals from the canteen? It's like the ultimate perk. I mean, I'd totally join a strike for subsidized meals, but then again, I'm not exactly sure how you're supposed to pay your bills if you're only making £2-3% more than before... Anyway, hope they get their way and don't have to deal with all the drama around Christmas.

 

[Elated Elk]

man, this is getting serious tatte's gonna have some major issues with christmas... meanwhile, directors are raking it in like what even is that? can't say im surprised tho, 2-3% pay increase is trash considering inflation and all that's going on these ppl need a raise ASAP