The National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) has come one step closer to ending a pay dispute after members of the trade union Prospect voted to accept its offer for 2009-10. But members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) voted against the proposed rise.
The deal is the result of protracted negotiations following a strike in June 2008, and the rejection of an initial pay offer this April.
The museum, which incorporates the Science Museum, Science Museum Swindon, National Railway Museum and National Media Museum, has a complex pay scheme based on position on a scale and performance.
A spokesman for Prospect, which has 240 members at NMSI's sites, said the deal meant a slight rise for those lower down the pay scale.
The spokesman said: "It is not the best pay deal. We are aware of other national museums offering better improvements. But via negotiation and the realisation that any further increase would require industrial action, our members voted to accept the deal on the table.
"We accept that these are difficult financial times for all heritage organisations, but we welcome the museum's decision to come back to the negotiating table."
An NMSI spokesperson said: "The 2.7 per cent average that has been implemented was the original offer, and negotiations are continuing with the relevant unions over the revised offer."
The deal is the result of protracted negotiations following a strike in June 2008, and the rejection of an initial pay offer this April.
The museum, which incorporates the Science Museum, Science Museum Swindon, National Railway Museum and National Media Museum, has a complex pay scheme based on position on a scale and performance.
A spokesman for Prospect, which has 240 members at NMSI's sites, said the deal meant a slight rise for those lower down the pay scale.
The spokesman said: "It is not the best pay deal. We are aware of other national museums offering better improvements. But via negotiation and the realisation that any further increase would require industrial action, our members voted to accept the deal on the table.
"We accept that these are difficult financial times for all heritage organisations, but we welcome the museum's decision to come back to the negotiating table."
An NMSI spokesperson said: "The 2.7 per cent average that has been implemented was the original offer, and negotiations are continuing with the relevant unions over the revised offer."
l The National Media Museum in Bradford has appointed a creative director to oversee its plans to open galleries in London. Charlotte Cotton will oversee an advocacy campaign and fundraising for the project. The location of the museum's London galleries is still undecided, pending government approval.
