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24.09.2024 / News / Natural History and Science Museums

Fighting for fair pay is a matter of principle

“I believe that every long journey begins with a single step. I also believe we are making history—for ourselves, our families, and future generations of security officers—by striving to improve the social and economic conditions of the sector.”
Mohammed Abed, UVW member and outsourced museum security officer

Mohammed Abed is a UVW member and one of the security officers outsourced to Wilson James at the Science Museum in London, currently being balloted for strike action in the fight for better pay and conditions. Security officers at both the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum are faced with low wages, excessive hours, and the constant pressures of maintaining security and visitor welfare. They have taken a principled stand for fair treatment. Mohammed writes about these workers’ reasons, resilience, and solidarity in the pursuit of justice through collective action.

There is an old religious story that says in ancient times, when the king of Ur, Nimrod, ordered Abraham to be burned in the fire, two animals reacted differently. One had an unsympathetic, negative attitude, blowing on the fire to intensify it, while the other had a charitable, positive attitude, trying to extinguish it to protect Abraham. Neither animal could change the outcome, but their attitudes—positive or negative—became part of their history, and humanity still talks about it.

What I want to convey is that we all face critical decisions that can create a major turning point in our lives based on a principle or idea we believe in. A group of security officers at the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum made such a decision to seek change. The motivation behind this decision runs deep and is related to the difficult living conditions within a crucial sector of the security industry in our country.

These individuals are the face of the museums and manage daily life across various institutions and sectors, not just museums. They are the first to interact with the public in diverse circumstances. Despite their own personal challenges, they are expected to put on a smile when dealing with visitors. Additionally, the security officers at the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum handle suspicious incidents and put their lives on the line to maintain security, protect people, and ensure stability. They are also responsible for providing first aid in emergencies. Clearly, this sector is one of the most important in the country.

If these individuals represent the first line of defense for all institutions, they deserve what they are asking for in terms of better living conditions, higher salaries, and more annual leave. However, statistics show that security officers are among the lowest-paid workers, and to cover the cost of living, many are forced to work excessive overtime hours—often to the detriment of their health.

One security officer at the Science Museum says, “I have to work extra hours to cover expenses, and my job requires me to provide first aid and act quickly. I love my work, and many visitors eventually become my friends, but I deserve better.” Another officer adds, “I work from early morning until late at night every day, and while I love my job, I also want to be fairly compensated.”

This group of security officers reached out to the United Voices of the World (UVW) union to represent them in negotiations with the Wilson James company and to help them secure their rights. They believe UVW is an outstanding and trustworthy union that provides honest assistance, with knowledgeable officials who are skilled in legal procedures and negotiations. As a member of UVW and one of these museum security officers, I believe that every long journey begins with a single step. I also believe we are making history—for ourselves, our families, and future generations of security officers—by striving to improve the social and economic conditions of the sector.

These are the principles and actions we are taking now and for the future. This principled stance is our legal defense in the workplace we care about and believe in, which offers a valuable service to visitors. We will continue our efforts to improve conditions until we achieve our rights. We are proud of what UVW does in support of our struggle, and we trust them fully.

Just like in the story of the animals’ actions towards Abraham at the beginning of this article, the essence of our situation is also a matter of principle.

Take action to support the museum security guards’ campaign now:

✉️ Send an email to their bosses

💷 Donate to their strike fund

✍🏽 Write to your MP

💃🏽 Come to the fundraising solidarity party.

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