Union Members at Royal Museums Greenwich and Other London Institutions Elect to Strike
2Aug. 4, 2026
Staff atRoyal Museums Greenwich(RMG) in UK-based trade union Prospect have decided to strike on August 11 and 12, as per a recentstatement. Over 90% of members voted on action, with nearly 77% of those favoring strike action.
Operating out of Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage site,RMGrepresents four cultural institutions inLondon: The National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, the Royal Observatory, and the Cutty Sark. Demands made by the striking union members includeLondon Living Wageaccreditation for RMG employees, Christmas closure, unchanged leave agreements, paid breaks for security workers, improved policies for fixed-term contracts, enhanced training, and improved development pathways.
Prospect represents workers at several institutions across the UK’s heritage sector. Its members at the Royal Observatory have voted to strike on August 12, the date of the most visible solar eclipse in the UK in almost thirty years.
The announcement follows similar action taken by workers at various branches of the V&A Museum in London, who voted to strike over pay, working conditions, and the institution’s refusal to seek living wage accreditation. In a statement, Mike Clancy, Prospect’s general secretary, said: “Our members don’t want to take strike action, but they have been left with no choice by the attitude taken by senior management.” He added, “Across the heritage sector our members have been taken advantage of for too long. This summer we are sending a signal that they will not put up with it anymore.”
Speaking to the Art Newspaper, RMG noted that it has been negotiating with Prospect, pointing to a formal ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) meeting in July. The organization explained: “Those negotiations have already produced a two-year pay settlement covering 2026/27 and 2027/28, which has been agreed by Prospect and implemented.” Regarding union members’ decision to strike, RMG added: “We are disappointed by this outcome, particularly given the progress which has been made. RMG plans to keep the museum sites open to maintain the provision of service to the public.”