National Coal Mining Museum strike ends after several months
A long-running strike at the National Coal Mining Museum has ended after staff accepted an offer of pay improvements.
Unison said the decision brought an end to a rolling strike by more than 40 workers at the museum near Wakefield, which began on 20 August 2025.
The union confirmed the pay rise deal will see wages rise by 10.5 per cent and the hourly wage for mining guides will rise to £14.21.
Confirming the end of the strike, Rianne Hooley, Unison’s regional organizer for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “It’s great news that these dedicated workers can get back to doing what they love to do – telling coal mining stories and keeping history alive for future generations.
“It’s a shame it took so long to reach this agreement.”
The union and the National Coal Mining Museum have been locked in pay raise negotiations for several months.
A proposal in October 2025 saw a £1 per hour increase for skilled trades such as plumbers and electricians, and a 5 per cent increase for other workers.
At the time, Union said this was actually less beneficial than the earlier increase of 80p an hour and soon rejected the pay offer.
