OUTSOURCED security guards at the Science Museum’s pay has risen by up to 30 per cent in under two years following industrial action, the United Voices of the World (UVW) union said today.

More than 100 guards secured rises of between 13 and 23 per cent last June following more than 50 days of strike action alongside colleagues at the Victoria and Albert Museum and Natural History Museum. 

The staff, employed by contractor Wilson James, have now accepted a nearly 7 per cent rise — bringing their pay to £14.80 per hour, plus a 25p hourly attendance allowance — above the London Living Wage, announced UVW.

Science Museum security guard Catherine Campbell said: “After two years of organising and strike action, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together. 

“But this isn’t the finish line. We’ll keep building our union and pushing for the pay, conditions and dignity that every worker deserves.” 

UVW general secretary Nelly Ospino said: “Sustained pressure from the guards has won them another significant pay rise in less than two years.  

“For years, they were expected to protect some of Britain’s wealthiest cultural institutions while being paid poverty wages themselves.

“This victory was not handed down out of goodwill; workers had to fight for every penny of it. 

“In a matter of months, UVW members have won more through organising and militancy than they had in the previous decade. 

“These museums generate millions, while the outsourced workers who keep them running have long struggled on poverty pay. 

“The message from museum security guards is simple: if you want dignity, better pay, and respect, you have to organise and fight for it.” 

The latest pay deal was agreed this month after the workers balloted for strike again following the controversial dismissal of three duty security managers at the Victoria and Albert Museum earlier this year. 

UVW said that the workers, who included a union representative and prominent strike leaders, “believe they were subjected to sham redundancies because of their trade union activity following last year’s successful industrial action.”

The latest deal means the attendance allowance is now paid to all workers.

UVW vowed to seek further improvements to sick pay, annual leave, overtime and enhancements for unsociable hours, alongside better working conditions.