Campaigners organise open letter to director demanding ‘fair day’s wage’ for all workers at V&A museums
A row over pay has broken out at the V&A before the opening of its newest site , with thousands of people calling for it to become a living wage employer.
On Saturday, V&A East will open its doors in Stratford, east London, showcasing stunning fabrics, photos and black British music. It joins a wider group of V&A museums including its original site in South Kensington, Young V&A in Bethnal Green and V&A Dundee. The V&A describes its latest opening as one of the most significant new museum projects in the UK.
The original V&A museum opened in 1852. Its mission is to “promote art and design for all” and to champion design and creativity in all its forms. It holds millions of objects and in recent years has hosted high-profile exhibitions about Taylor Swift and Naomi Campbell, and photographs from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s collection.
While the V&A complies with all legal minimum-wage requirements, with some workers paid a living wage or above, campaigners say some of the lowest-paid staff and contractors in London are not in receipt of the living wage. The UK minimum wage is £12.71 an hour and the living wage in London is £14.80 an hour.
