Press Releases

Members of the Union have voted to accept the offer presented by the Museum last week, made possible through additional financial support from the Welsh Government. This brings to an end Premium Payments for weekend working, though they will be retained for Bank Holidays, and concludes the industrial dispute.

As a result, the individual consultation process and continuous industrial action will come to an end, and Wales’ national museums will reopen fully to the public over the coming days. Please see our website for further details www.museumwales.ac.uk.

All affected staff, including Prospect members, will benefit from deal which includes:

• Compensation payment worth 5 years of allowances, doubling the previous offer, to cease Premium Payments.

A non-pensionable compensation payment worth 5 years of allowances for affected staff, doubling the previous offer. This will be subject to the normal deductions of Income Tax and National Insurance. Staff will have the option to phase the payment over the 5 years. This will bring Premium Payments for weekend working (Saturday and Sunday) to an end.

• As an alternative, the payment can be paid over 4 years and would be pensionable.

Alternatively, the compensation payment can be paid over a period of 4 years and in this case would be pensionable with employee and employer contributions deducted. This will be subject to the normal deductions of Income Tax and National Insurance and will also bring Premium Payments for weekend working (Saturday and Sunday) to an end.

• Payments for Bank Holidays will continue.

Premium Payments for Bank Holiday working at the rate of £54.24 will continue to be made, in addition to basic pay, although these payments will no longer be pensionable.

• An increase in basic pay of at least 4% for staff who are on the lowest grades. This applies to all staff, not just those who work weekends.

An increase in basic pay for staff who are on the lowest grades. This includes a pay rise of 4% or more to staff members on the three lowest grades who are at the top of their scales, with an additional 1% paid in April 2017 for staff on two of the lowest grades. The Living Wage as calculated by the Living Wage Foundation will be introduced for those on the lowest grade, back dated to April 2014.

• No pay rise for those on higher grades.

As in previous years, no pay rise for those on higher grades including the Director General in 2014/15 and 2015/16.

• Pension protection for 5 years.
• No compulsory redundancies for affected staff until at least 1 April 2017.

No compulsory redundancies, introduction of annualised hours contracts or introduction of zero hours contracts for existing staff until at least 1 April 2017. Decisions on these matters beyond 1 April 2017 will be subject to consultation and negotiation with recognised trade unions.

• Staff will be required to work no more than 1 in 2 weekends as the result of a review of weekend working, subject to certain conditions.

There will be a joint review of weekend working by Amgueddfa Cymru and its recognised trade unions for existing staff. As part of any outcome of this review, and subject to no increases to operating costs and maintaining appropriate service provision, staff will be required to work a maximum of 1 in 2 weekends in any calendar year, or a maximum of no more weekends than they worked in financial year 2015/16. Staff who wish to work a higher number of weekends than this may opt to do so. The review will begin from 1 July 2016 and by completed by 31 December 2016. Discussions will be held with staff who currently work 1 in 2 weekends to establish a meaningful reduction in weekend working subject to certain conditions.

To be eligible for this offer, staff will need to be in receipt of Premium Payments as at 30 June 2016.

David Anderson, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru said:

“I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement with PCS, and therefore all our recognised trade unions, on the cessation of Premium Payments, and the dispute has come to an end.

“I would personally like to thank visitors for their patience during this time and look forward to offering them - the people of Wales and beyond - a high-quality museum experience.

“Our immediate priority is to bring the staff - those who were on strike as well as those who stayed in work - together again around our services and core aims as an organisation.

“This must be one of the most challenging times the Museum has ever faced and our financial position remains extremely serious. Yet, there are many exciting projects for the Museum to be proud of,  the redevelopment of St Fagans National History Museum, hold the promise of a strong and positive future.

“I hope we can now move forward together to try and secure a stable future for Amgueddfa Cymru for the benefit of our nation.”