January 20, 2026 - In the UK, Workers on strike at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield have rejected a new pay offer as the increasingly bitter industrial dispute at the museum continues.

More than 40 employees have been taking industrial action since mid-August in one of the museum sector’s longest-running ever strikes. They voted earlier this month to extend their walkout until June.

In a statement on 16 February, the union Unison Yorkshire and Humberside confirmed that the workers had rejected a new pay offer, saying the museum had warned them they could be investigated and potentially disciplined after returning to work over their behavior on the picket line.

The strike at the National Coal Mining Museum could run until June National Coal Mining Museum

“For many workers, the package was worse than one presented to staff that prompted the walkouts,” the union said.

“The new offer contains a line that says the museum will investigate staff and discipline them when they return to work. As a result, staff have voted overwhelmingly to reject it.”

The union said that “in the absence of any sensible suggestions from the museum, workers have put forward a counter-proposal in an effort to find a resolution and bring the dispute to a close”.

Asked about the reference to staff being investigated and disciplined, a spokesperson for the National Coal Mining Museum said that during recent negotiations, Unison had requested an amnesty for individuals participating in lawful industrial action, including “behavior on the picket line and in digital activity online”.

“There would be no need for this request had there been no unlawful behavior,” the spokesperson said.

“The charity agreed to this request, however, where behavior entered into abuse, harassment, or extreme bullying, such matters need to be dealt with in line with the charity's policies and procedures.

“No member of staff should be subject to abuse or harassment, and this was an entirely reasonable position and designed to protect the staff of the museum.”

Both sides of the dispute have made allegations about conduct and behavior during the strike. The striking workers have accused the museum of using private security and the police to intimidate the picket line, and are calling on senior managers to step down over their handling of the dispute.

Meanwhile, Museums Journal understands that some non-striking workers at the museum say they have faced harassment, abuse and bullying from colleagues on the picket line.

The union did not reveal full details of the latest pay offer. The museum has previously offered a £1 an hour rise for ‘craftspeople’ (which the museum defines as fitters and electricians) and 5% for other staff, which workers say would, for many of them, work out lower than the 80p an hour?increase?previously proposed.

Unison’s regional organizer Rianne Hooley said: “This farcical offer is the latest in a series of sorry missteps by managers that have only prolonged the dispute through their poor judgement and incompetence.

“Throughout this strike, museum bosses have behaved in a way which suggests they don’t value their skilled workers – the people who made the history this museum keeps alive.

“Putting forward a pay offer with a term which suggests staff will be disciplined if they accept is utterly ridiculous. Staff have understandably voted to reject it.

“They are desperate to be back at work, telling stories of coal mining and taking members of the public underground. In the absence of any sensible offer, staff have put forward a counter-proposal to try and bring this dispute to an end.

“They want to be paid fairly, they want to safeguard the future of the museum, and they want to be properly respected by their managers.”

The museum spokesperson told Museums Journal: “The charity is deeply saddened that the fourth and latest pay offer has been rejected, particularly as the museum offered exactly what the union had proposed during the most recent round of negotiations. We became aware of this rejection through media enquiries only, which is both surprising and disappointing.”

The spokesperson added: “It is unfortunate that the dispute seems to be no longer just about pay.  The dispute now centers on the Unison request for an amnesty for the behavior of striking workers. The charity remains committed to supporting all staff and to restoring a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

“There has been significant misinformation circulated throughout the industrial action, particularly in relation to finances and security. The charity has repeatedly requested that it be made clear this information is manifestly and demonstrably incorrect.”

“The charity will, of course, review the counteroffer when it is shared and will consider it carefully with the hope of bringing the industrial action to an end as quickly as possible.”

A spokesperson for Unison Yorkshire and Humberside said: “Unison notified ACAS [the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service] that the offer had been rejected on Thursday afternoon, following a meeting of members. Media outlets were informed the following day.

“The offer was rejected due to the threat of workers being disciplined on their return to work. To say this is ‘exactly what the union had proposed’ is utter nonsense.”