V&A MUSEUM director Tristram Hunt’s refusal to attend union talks was branded “shocking” and “disrespectful” today.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) and Prospect said the fact the former Labour frontbencher “is refusing to even meet with negotiators shows what little regard he holds his staff in.”

PCS members are being balloted for potential strike action over pay and conditions until August 20 after museum bosses failed to offer “an acceptable pay offer for workers or become a Real Living Wage accredited employer.”

They are also demanding time-and-a-half on bank holidays and heat mitigation measures.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our members at the V&A feel completely disrespected by V&A management. They work hard to deliver a service — and when the director refuses to meet with workers it shows why they are voting for industrial action.”

In 2014 when a Labour shadow minister, Mr Hunt attracted controversy by crossing a UCU picket line — to give a lecture on Marx and Engels.

A spokesperson from the V&A said: “The V&A has been in negotiations with the trade union side since February and those negotiations are ongoing.

“Our offer sees a 3.6 per cent increase in the overall pay bill, an above inflation pay award as a minimum, and 6.9 per cent increase for our lowest paid colleagues.

“As always, we have maintained our long-standing commitment to paying at least the London Living Wage.”