OUTSOURCED security guards at the Natural History and Science museums are balloting for strike action after years of real-terms pay cuts. 

The guards are among the lowest-paid workers at the museum, earning £11.95 per hour.

Members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union are demanding a raise to £16 an hour and full sick pay starting from day one, instead of the current policy that begins on day four.

The guards, responsible for protecting millions of visitors and priceless exhibits, are outsourced to contractor Wilson James, which reported £7 million profit after tax in their latest accounts.

The firm’s contract to provide security services to the museums, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, was valued at over £63m when awarded in 2018.

The Science Museum Group's total income increased by £18m to £128m last year post-pandemic, and the National History Museum’s income increased by £19.6m to £117m.

Geoffrey Davis, a security supervisor at the Natural History Museum, said: “I’ve been with Wilson James for 23 years and this is the worst I’ve seen them treat us. 

“I’ve found it hard to make ends meet as the cost of everything has gone up, such as broadband, gas, electricity, travel and food. 

“The museums treat us as second-class employees when they give their directly employed staff pay rises and bonuses of £500.

“We think the museums need to take safety more seriously by treating us the same as their in-house staff.”

A Wilson James Spokesperson said: “We highly value our employees and are committed to fair and transparent negotiations. We are actively engaged in conversations with our colleagues and formally recognised trade union representatives at the Science Museum and Natural History Museum and remain dedicated to seeking an effective pay resolution.”

The Natural History and Science museums have been contacted for comment.