V&A East Opens: Pay Fight for Living Wage

0:00On April 16, V&A East opens his doors this Saturday in Shrafford, East London, with exhibits on fabrics, photos, and black British music. But right before the big reveal, a pay fight is heating up. Thousands want the museum to pay everyone the London Living Wage of 14 pounds 80 pence an hour instead of just a legal minimum of 12 pounds 71. The V&A meets all wage laws and some staff already earn the living wage or more. Still, campaigners point out that lowest paid workers and contractors in pricey London fall short of what covers real living costs as set by the Living Wage Foundation. Over 21,000 people have signed an open letter to director Sir Tristram Hunt pushing for fair pay across all sites. Groups like Organize and Citizens UK say taxpayer-funded museums should lead on this. Big names like the National Gallery, Tate, and National Theatre all pay the living wage. V&A Dundee qualifies too, but the London spots do not.

1:02As the new museum launches, pressure builds for the V&A to step up and match those standards. Ensuring workers get a true fair day's pay.