Statement from the National Coal Mining Museum
Updated Statement 29 August 2025
Philip Marshall, Chair of the Board of Trustees said:
The Charity’s Trustees are very grateful for the continued support of people visiting our Museum, and we are sorry for any inconvenience that visitors have experienced as a result of the current industrial action by members of UNISON.
We are disappointed by UNISON’s decision to extend the period of industrial action to Sunday, 12 October, but we fully respect the right of employees to carry out industrial action if done in a peaceful and lawful manner.
The majority of our employees will continue working as usual, supported by our dedicated team of volunteers, and the Museum will remain open, with plenty for our visitors to see and do. Unfortunately, the industrial action means that we cannot provide underground tours during this time. We are committed to doing everything we can to offer alternative experiences for families, schools and groups, or to reschedule visits at a later date.
The museum is committed to fair and ethical pay for all our staff and despite challenging economic times the Trustees approved a budget for this year which allowed for an above-inflation pay increase of 5% for all employees. This is higher than for most other sectors, both private and public; and followed onto last year’s above-inflation pay increase. It would have meant a rise of around 14% over two years for many of our employees, including the Museum Guides who are taking industrial action.
Whilst not within our budget, the Trustees subsequently approved an increased offer of 5% or an additional 80p per hour, whichever is greater. This equates to an increase of more than 6%, or more than 15% over two years, for many employees including the Museum Guides. This offer also included death in service and consideration of increased rates of pay for specialist skills such as mechanical and electrical. To afford this, the Charity will have to find efficiencies and make savings, but the Trustees were keen to support our Chief Executive and her team in finding a speedy resolution to the dispute. This offer equivalent to 6.21% for Museum Guide has been made. We would encourage Unison to put this offer to their members so that we can continue working together towards a resolution.
No offer of £1 per hour or 5%, whichever is greater, was ever agreed, by the Executive team or the Board of Trustees.
We do not consider UNISON’s pay claim to be reasonable or affordable in the current economic environment. UNISON has quoted the ‘operating surplus’ shown in our 2023/24 Annual Report and Accounts to suggest that the Charity can afford it. However, the accounts show that the surplus related to restricted funds (which must be spent for their designated purposes and cannot be spent on pay claims). The surplus at 31 March 2024 notably included funding received for works paid for in the following financial year.
Also, contrary to information UNISON has put in the public domain, our Charity does not pay any ‘six-figure’ salaries; and whilst it is correct to say that the Museum is incurring additional costs as a result of the industrial action, including extra security, which is necessary to ensure an enjoyable experience for visitors, this is not at the levels being suggested.
The Charity’s Chief Executive and her leadership team have the full support of the Board of Trustees to find a reasonable and affordable resolution to this dispute. The Museum remains fully open to constructive dialogue with UNISON, to reach a resolution that supports both our staff and our long-term sustainability.
In the meantime, the Museum remains fully committed to its mission of sharing the rich history of coal mining in England. We continue to welcome visitors and to deliver a full programme of events and activities, including Dino Weekend and Paws at the Pit.
Find out more about how this may affect your visit here