[UK] British Library staff accept revised pay deal following strikes

In the UK, six months of disagreement between the British Library and staff critical of wages and conditions have come to an end with a revised pay offer, Arts Professional reports.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) led a series of strikes at the iconic London-based library. 

It reportedly revealed that members had voted “overwhelmingly” to accept a renegotiated deal from library leadership.

The news follows industrial action between December 8 and 12, which saw strikes closing the library’s 11 reading rooms and hundreds of PCS members walking out.

Strike action in November 2025 came before the sudden resignation of the British Library’s chief executive, Rebecca Lawrence, less than ten months into her role.

In its announcement. The PCS said, “This marks an important step forward for some of the British Library’s lowest-paid staff, many of whom have faced significant financial strain during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”

The union did, however, add that it fails to meet its “full national pay claim”. That campaign calls for improved pay and pensions for members across the civil service and related areas.

Source: Arts Professional

(Link and quote via original reporting)

In the UK, six months of disagreement between the British Library and staff critical of wages and conditions have come to an end with a revised pay offer, Arts Professional reports.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) led a series of strikes at the iconic London-based library. 

It reportedly revealed that members had voted “overwhelmingly” to accept a renegotiated deal from library leadership.

The news follows industrial action between December 8 and 12, which saw strikes closing the library’s 11 reading rooms and hundreds of PCS members walking out.

Strike action in November 2025 came before the sudden resignation of the British Library’s chief executive, Rebecca Lawrence, less than ten months into her role.

In its announcement. The PCS said, “This marks an important step forward for some of the British Library’s lowest-paid staff, many of whom have faced significant financial strain during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”

The union did, however, add that it fails to meet its “full national pay claim”. That campaign calls for improved pay and pensions for members across the civil service and related areas.

Source: Arts Professional

(Link and quote via original reporting)