EDM: National Coal Mining Museum strike

National Coal Mining Museum strike

Tabled by Jon Trickett (Labour) 17 signatures

The motion

That this House expresses its solidarity with the staff of the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield who are in a dispute over pay; applauds the workforce for insisting on a settlement which secures gender equality; acknowledges the important role the museum plays in honouring the memory and legacy of generations of miners in West Yorkshire and beyond; notes with concern that museum management has withdrawn a previously promised pay rise of whichever is greater out of 5% or £1 per hour, and that subsequent offers have been lower, despite the museum having made substantial surpluses in recent years; is alarmed that private security has been employed by the museum at an estimated cost of £50,000; opposes the decision made by the museum to request West Yorkshire Police remove a lawful picket line located on public land, despite evidence from Wakefield Council and confirmation from officers that the picket line action is legal; condemns any attempt to intimidate striking workers by such measures as calling the police to a lawful picket, which risks undermining the right to industrial action; urges the trustees of the National Coal Mining Museum to intervene urgently to reinstate negotiations; and calls on the museum management to make an offer consistent with a 5% or £1 per hour rise and to engage fully with ACAS to reach a just settlement.

Signatories (17)