V&A Museum Reveals Strategy After Launching Voluntary Exit Scheme

After a summer of back and forth with its staff over strikes, pay and working conditions, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is launching a voluntary exit scheme as part of its strategy for 2026 through 2030.

A spokesperson for the museum told ARTnews that “Like many organizations, the V&A is facing rising operating costs, driven by inflation, economic uncertainty, and reduced visitor spending. While we continue to receive government support, below-inflation settlements mean a real-terms reduction in funding over the coming years. As a result, our organizational strategy for 2026-2030 is underpinned by a cautious approach to financial planning and we’re exploring a wide range of measures to reduce costs, including launching a Voluntary Exit scheme.”

Workers at the V&A sites have been striking since the summer. In July, workers at the museum’s new site V&A East Storehouse voted unanimously to strike in a dispute over working conditions. The ballot was organized by the trade union Prospect and, according to the union, 100 percent of members who voted backed strike action on a turnout of nearly 88 percent, while 92 percent also supported action short of a strike.

On September 25 and 26, another strike was held, this time at the V&A’s South Kensington site by the unions PCS and Prospect. Prior to the strike, PCS posted a blog on their website titled “The facts behind the V&A director’s claims,” outlining that the PCS entered negotiations with V&A bosses over the provision of water bottles and adequate seating for front-of-house staff at V&A Storehouse, but there was no movement on pay.

The blog post adds that V&A director Tristram Hunt “alleged that V&A staff would receive an average pay rise of 4.18%. Yet the vast majority of staff, aside from the lowest paid, are being offered 3.25%. The offer would see staff on the lowest band move to the LLW [London Living Wage]—a 6.9% increase. The employer is, however, refusing to become London Living Wage accredited. Our pay claim is for 8% and double time for bank holiday working. But members have shown a willingness to reach a resolution by compromising in certain areas.”

In the museum’s strategy deck, the V&A lists “increasing self-generated income” and “streamlining operations” as its key objectives.