National Coal Mining Museum workers end long-running strike

Staff at the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield have ended their long-running strike after reaching a “significantly improved” pay deal with their employer.

More than 40 mine guides at the museum have been taking continuous industrial action since 20 August 2025 in a dispute over pay. The museum has remained open throughout the strike but has been unable to run underground mine tours.

Represented by the union Unison, the workers’ original proposal, made in summer 2025, asked for a pay increase of £1 an hour or 5%, whichever was greater. The union says this offer was agreed but later withdrawn and replaced with a lower offer, something the museum has denied.

According to Unison, the employees voted in favour of accepting the pay deal “so they can return to work and ensure proper upkeep of the historic mine so it remains open to the public”.

Striking staff have “repeatedly raised concerns about the maintenance of the mine during the walkout”, the union said.

The new pay deal sees wages increase by 10.5%, effective from 1 April. The increase is worth £1.35 per hour for mine guides, whose pay has risen from £12.86 to £14.21.

No pay award will be given for 2025/26, with the exception of employees in receipt of the Real Living Wage, which has already been awarded.

The increasingly bitter dispute saw the police called to the picket line at one point to manage tensions between striking employees and private security personnel.

The museum has agreed to remove all disciplinary clauses previously included in pay offers. Workers had rejected previous deals after being told they faced potential disciplinary action on returning to work over their digital activity and behaviour on the picket line.

The union’s Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser, Rianne Hooley, said: “It’s fantastic news that these dedicated workers can return to what they love doing – telling the stories of coal mining and keeping the history alive for future generations.

“It’s just a shame this deal has taken so long to reach. Staff have been keen to explore different options to get the dispute resolved, but have continually been met with resistance.

“They’ve even had managers attempt to insert disciplinary clauses into pay deals. Getting those removed has added months on to negotiations.

“Staff have chosen to accept the pay offer so they can get back to work and protect the museum. Securing its long-term future on behalf of the public has always been their main priority.”

The museum’s management team has welcomed the end of the dispute.

In a joint statement, CEO Lynn Dunning and chair of trustees Phil Marshall said they were “pleased to confirm that industrial action has now concluded”.

“Following a period of extensive negotiations a pay agreement has been reached that sits within the charity’s financial parameters and helps to secure the long-term sustainability of this much‑loved national visitor attraction,” the statement said.

“The charity would like to extend its sincere thanks to colleagues who continued to work during this challenging period, as well as to partners and visitors for their patience, understanding, and ongoing support.

“The museum is delighted that visitors will once again be able to enjoy underground tours, in due course, as well as the many other outstanding experiences, that make the museum so special and have continued to attract thousands of people throughout the period of industrial action.”

The statement added: “Our shared ambition now is to move forward positively, and continuing our vital work to preserve, celebrate, and share the story of coal mining and the communities it shaped.”