A FOUR-DAY strike at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield, South Yorkshire, began today after Unison members said that managers failed to improve a pay offer in talks at the conciliation service Acas.

Unison’s Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said that the Wakefield-based site’s managers “seemed as though they were keen to resolve the dispute and show staff they’re valued.

“Instead, they’ve come back with a proposal that’s worse.”

A museum spokesperson said that the charity faces “considerable financial pressures” and defended its all-staff offer of 80p per hour or 5 per cent, whichever is the greater, as “much higher than pay settlements in the public sector.”

Confirming the industrial action will largely affect its underground tours, the spokesperson added: “We remain committed to working closely with union representatives in the hope of a resolution.

“During this period, the museum will remain open and continue to share the important history of coal mining with our visitors.”