Workers on strike at the National Coal Mining Museum have rejected a pay offer their union claimed would have left many staff worse off than a proposal they had previously thrown out.
Members of Unison have been on a continuous strike at the Wakefield museum since mid-August in a dispute over pay.
The union said a suggested a £1 an hour rise for employees including fitters and electricians and 5% for other staff would work out lower than the 80p-an-hour increase previously offered.
The union received a written offer of the latest proposal earlier this week and striking workers have now formally rejected it.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “This dispute has already gone on for far too long.
“Museum bosses have spent more on continuing the strike than it would have cost them to give staff a reasonable pay rise.
“Senior managers should stop playing games, do the right thing and come up with a fair deal.”
A National Coal Mining Museum for England spokesperson said: “The charity’s trustees are very grateful for the continued support of visitors to our free-to-enter museum and sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by the current industrial action by Unison members.
“The majority of our staff continue to work as normal, supported by our dedicated volunteers, and the museum remains open with a full programme of activities.
“However, due to the strike, underground tours are temporarily unavailable. We are working hard and offering alternative experiences and rescheduled visits for families, schools and groups.
“We are disappointed that our recent pay offer has been rejected. This included a £1 per hour increase for museum guides with specialist skills, such as electricians and fitters, and a 5% uplift for the wider team.
“After much discussion with Unison, this offer brought the museum’s pay structure in line with, and in some instances over, similar organisations’ structures.
“Like many charities, we are facing increasing financial pressures, and any offer must protect the museum’s future, ensuring we can continue to share the vital story of coal mining for generations to come.”
