MEMBERS of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) who work at the National Museums of Liverpool (NML) are set to launch an eight-week strike on Saturday over pay.

PCS says NML has failed to pay a £1,500 cost-of-living payment, which was promised after workers took industrial action last year.

Workers at seven museums and galleries will walk out from February 17 to April 14, after 125 out of 133 staff voted in favour of strike action last month.

It is believed that the strikes will affect the Museum of Liverpool, the World Museum, the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum, as well as the Walker Art Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

The museums are expected to close their doors on Saturday and over the course of next week.

Commenting on the upcoming action, PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “NML describes itself as ‘trustworthy, respectful and inclusive’, but there’s nothing trustworthy or respectful about being the only government employer not to pay its staff the cost-of-living crisis payment.

“Our members at NML work just as hard as our members elsewhere, so why are they not receiving the same rewards?

“NML can stop these strikes before they start by doing the decent thing for their staff and paying them what they deserve.”

In a statement on the NML website, its director Laura Pye, who earned at least £150,000 in salary and benefits in 2021, said that a £1,500 payment “is simply unaffordable” and would “threaten the long-term sustainability of your museums and galleries.”