The Facts
On October 22, 2026, the Victoria and Albert Museum announced that all its sites will be affected by industrial action on 29-30 October 2026. V&A South Kensington will be open but with a reduced offer: the Schiaparelli exhibition, café, and some ground floor galleries will be open, while the rest of the museum is expected to close and events cancelled. Young V&A will open only for the Aardman exhibition and pre-booked events. V&A East Museum and Storehouse will be closed. The museum said negotiations through ACAS continue and it has met most union demands, offering an average 4.18% pay increase and 6.9% for lowest-paid staff, plus increased bank holiday pay and subsidised food.
The Signal
The strike reflects ongoing labor disputes in UK museums, even as institutions like the V&A maintain strong programming. The museum's pay offer, including the London Living Wage, signals a commitment to fair compensation. For visitors, the closures may disrupt plans, but the museum is contacting ticket holders directly. The ACAS negotiations could influence labor practices across the sector.
- Museums: Victoria and Albert Museum, Young V&A, V&A East Museum
- Locations: London
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