Staff at Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action on 11 and 12 August, affecting the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark and Queen’s House in Greenwich.
Strike to run during rare eclipse viewing
The discontinuous action comes as the Royal Observatory is preparing to host an on-site viewing of a solar eclipse — described by organisers as the best visible from the UK in almost 27 years — with public viewing at the Dolphin Sundial from 16:00 to 20:00 and an online livestream.
Prospect union members say the action is a last resort after negotiations failed to resolve a set of non-pay disputes. The union is pressing for London Living Wage accreditation, protections for existing Christmas closure annual leave arrangements, guaranteed paid breaks for security staff and stronger policies on fixed-term contracts.
“Our members don’t want to take strike action, but they have been left with no choice by the attitude taken by senior management,”
The comment was made by Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, who added that while a two-year pay settlement had been agreed in recent negotiations, outstanding non-pay issues remain unresolved.
Management response and the negotiation picture
Royal Museums Greenwich said it has been engaged in constructive talks with Prospect and pointed to a formal ACAS conciliation meeting in July. RMG confirmed a two-year pay settlement covering 2026/27 and 2027/28 has been agreed and implemented.
RMG stated that remaining disputes are limited to a small number of non-pay matters and that it has already recorded progress with ACAS, including commitments to engage with the London Living Wage Foundation. The organisation said it was disappointed by the ballot result, especially given the recent progress in talks.
What the strike will mean for visitors
RMG has received notice of discontinuous strike action on the two dates. That is likely to lead to reduced services, limited on-site events and potential closures depending on staffing levels at individual locations. The action is timed to coincide with a high-profile public programme at the Royal Observatory, meaning visitors planning to watch the eclipse in person may face disruption.
- Sites affected: Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, Queen’s House
- Dates: 11 and 12 August
- Main demands: London Living Wage accreditation; retention of Christmas closure leave; paid breaks for security staff; improved fixed-term contract policies
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Union | Prospect |
| Action type | Discontinuous strike |
| Negotiation status | Two-year pay settlement agreed; non-pay issues outstanding |
Wider context in the heritage sector
Prospect has framed the dispute as part of broader sectoral pressures, saying heritage workers have been taken advantage of and that this summer’s action is a signal that members will no longer accept the status quo. The union pointed specifically to insecure contracts and conditions faced by staff such as security personnel.
RMG stresses continued engagement with ACAS and says progress has been recorded. It also noted commitments to explore London Living Wage accreditation — a key demand for the union — without indicating a completed accreditation.
Practical advice for visitors
Anyone planning to attend the Royal Observatory’s eclipse viewing or other events at Royal Museums Greenwich on 11–12 August should check the official RMG website and social channels for the latest service updates. Where possible, consider booking refunds or flexible tickets, and look out for announcements about alternative livestream access should on-site experiences be reduced.
For Greenwich residents and regular museum-goers, the dispute underlines tensions between cultural institutions’ public-facing roles and the working conditions of the staff who sustain them. Negotiations remain open, and both sides have signalled a willingness to continue talks.
This story will be updated as further details emerge and as RMG and Prospect report any progress in negotiations ahead of the planned strike dates.
