OUTSOURCED security guards working at some of London’s top museums secured major pay rises of up to 23 per cent today after months of sustained strike action.

Guards at the Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert (V&A) museums emerged victorious in their dispute following 50 days of walkouts from last October.

Their union, United Voices of the World, announced that they have now secured pay rises ranging from 13 to 23 per cent.

The dispute, which involved security contractor Wilson James, marks a major victory for a workforce that faced years of wage stagnation.

Between 2019 and 2021, guards received a pay rise of just 1.2 per cent, while Wilson James doubled its profits to over £7.6 million a year.

UVW says that the guards have now won more than they did in the entire previous decade, with some adding up to £8,000 to their annual salaries. 

Catherine Campbell, a security officer at the Science Museum, said: “With UVW, we put up a massive fight and we won more in seven months than we had in years. 

“We went from £11.95 to £14.05 an hour. We did everything: we protested in the streets, went to the trustees’ offices and stood up for ourselves across all three museums. 

“It showed what’s possible when you’re united. We’re really proud of what we achieved.”

UVW general secretary Petros Elia said: “This victory shows what happens when workers stand united and refuse to be treated as second class. 

“Through relentless strike action, bold tactics and sheer collective strength, they’ve forced some of the UK’s most powerful cultural institutions to listen.”