British Library “money-saving” tips leave bitter taste for PCS members
By the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
Festive shopping tips sent by the British Library ahead of the latest round of strike action were about as welcome as a lump of coal from Santa.
Our low-paid members at the London institution are set to strike from 8 to 12 December in their ongoing dispute over pay.
In meeting with the British Library, PCS has repeatedly highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on workers. Despite this, BL management has refused to increase its offer beyond the 3.8% minimum – refusing to account for the 2% restoration from last year’s shortfall, whereby BL workers were paid 3% compared to other public sector workers who received 5%.
In a health and wellbeing newsletter circulated with British Library staff this month, the employer suggested “a few money-saving ideas” for workers, which included the following festive tips:
- “Consider having a conversation with loved ones about the cost-of-living crisis and propose mutually skipping presents this year,”
- Offering handmade gifts such as “a voucher for a home-cooked meal, a walk in the park, chores”, and
- Buying second-hand gifts.
It appears the Ghost of Christmas Present skipped the British Library during his rounds this year.
PCS members, who are demanding an RPI-linked pay rise with restoration, found the tips as appetising as 3-day-old Christmas turkey, with some members describing its content “tasteless” and “condescending”. Perhaps the British Library could consider giving its workers a better pay award so workers can afford to celebrate Christmas this year – just a suggestion, of course.
The first period of strike action in October and November was well supported by members, the public, MPs and also by authors and artists who refused to cross the picket lines, leading to the cancellation of events.
Support the strikers
Go and show your support to the strikers on the picket line outside the library’s Euston Road entrance from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday this week! You can also demonstrate your solidarity with cultural workers by:
- Sharing messages of solidarity on social media using the hashtag #BritishLibraryOnStrike.
- Completing our e-action to ask MPs to call for increased grant in aid funding for the library.
- Asking your MP to support our early day motion on pay at the library.
- Following us on social media: X: @BritLibrary; Instagram: BritishLibraryPCS
- Donating to our strike fund so workers can continue to strike with no loss of pay.
- Encouraging guests to withdraw from all BL events until they meet PCS’ demands.
Tell the British Library not to be a Scrooge this Christmas and give its workers the pay rise they deserve.
- You follow the PCS on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram, and their General Secretary Fran Heathcote on Twitter/X.
- This was originally published on the PCS website on 7 December 2025.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles in the UK and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
British Library staff announce further strikes – PCS
From the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
Over 300 PCS members working at the British Library will strike from Monday 8 to Friday 12 December 2025 in their ongoing dispute over pay.
The members took two weeks of strike action in October and November.
During the strike, the Library’s CEO, Rebecca Lawrence, unexpectedly left only ten months into her tenure. The absence of stable leadership has undermined staff confidence and the Library’s reputation as a world-class cultural institution. Alongside low pay and the change in management, members also face the ongoing aftermath of a cyber-attack in 2023 in which personal details were published on the dark web.
Members’ workloads have more than doubled through additional responsibilities and are made harder through increased abuse from service users, with inadequate support from management.
Since the previous strike, PCS has met with the interim CEO, Jeremy Silver, and received a revised pay offer, which was unanimously rejected by members as inadequate. Members are demanding an inflation-proof pay rise and restoration for last year’s below-inflation pay award.
The first period of strike action in October and November was well supported by members, the public, MPs and also by authors and artists who refused to cross the picket lines, leading to the cancellation of events.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “By meeting our members’ simple and fair demands, leadership at British Library can restore trust from its staff and send a clear message to government about the need to properly fund the UK’s vibrant but imperilled culture sector.
“We call on managers to rally and protect the institution they believe in. They must acknowledge the hard work and dedication of its staff. And they must focus budgets accordingly – on the poorest paid who are least rewarded.”
- You follow the PCS on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram, and their General Secretary Fran Heathcote on Twitter/X.
- This was originally published on the PCS website on 2 December 2025.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles in the UK and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
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