National Coal Mining Museum strike in Wakefield extended into summer
There's no end in sight to the long running dispute
The long-running strike at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield has been extended into the summer.
More than 40 workers at the museum began striking in mid-August 2025 in a dispute over pay, and the action was originally set to end this January.
However UNISON staff have now voted to extend the walkout until June 26 2026.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said:
“The decision to extend this strike is a clear signal that staff are committed to securing a fair wage and protecting this important link to the history of coal mining.
“These workers won’t be able to provide underground tours and tell their stories forever.
“They're determined to ensure a pay structure is put in place that will attract others to continue telling the story of coal mining when they're no longer able.
“It’s vital the museum produces an acceptable offer so these workers can get back to doing what they do so well.”
This industrial action began on August 20 2025 and has been extended three times prior to today’s vote. Strike action will now run through to June 26 2026 unless a resolution is reached.
A previous statement from the museum said management had offered a compromise as a way to solve the dispute, which had been rejected.
The attraction claims the majority of staff continue to work as normal.