LONG-running strikes by staff at the National Museums Liverpool (NML) will be temporarily suspended while they consider an improved pay offer. 

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union have been on strike for over 60 days after their employers withheld a £1,500 cost-of-living payment, which was promised after industrial action in 2022-23.

NML director Laura Pye, who earns £150,000 in pay and benefits, previously claimed that the payout was unaffordable.

Strikes have shut down the Museum of Liverpool, the World Museum, the International Slavery Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Walker Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Walkouts due to take place from May 28 to June 2 have been suspended as PCS puts an improved offer to the ballot, while strikes from May 25 to 27 are still due to go ahead.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “It is down to [members’] remarkable determination and creativity that we have negotiated an offer from management which we will put to a vote of all NML members involved in the dispute in the coming days.”