British Library Advises Staff to Cut Gifts Amid Strike and Cost Pressures

The British Library has advised its employees to forgo buying Christmas gifts this year, promoting time spent with loved ones instead, as the institution navigates industrial action over pay disputes and faces ongoing financial challenges.

In a staff newsletter issued this month, the British Library suggested employees consider alternatives to traditional gifts, such as vouchers for walks in the park, household chores, or other gestures. The communication also encouraged staff to engage in open discussions with family members about the impact of the cost of living crisis. Wellbeing tips in the same newsletter included suggestions to limit festive treats and to be cautious regarding holiday indulgences.

This advice comes at a sensitive time, with nearly 350 staff participating in a new round of strikes over pay conditions. The walkout, lasting one working week, is the second recent strike at the library, following a two-week stoppage in November protesting what union leaders describe as chronic low pay. Staff, represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union, previously rejected a pay offer that included a minimum increase of 3.8 percent, backdated from August.

The dispute coincides with leadership changes at the British Library, with the recent resignation of chief executive Rebecca Lawrence after less than a year in the role. Union representatives continue to demand a pay settlement that addresses what they term spiralling workloads and sub-inflation wage increases. The PCS union’s general secretary has called for an above-inflation pay award and emphasised that the organisation should meet what workers view as fair and reasonable expectations.

These events follow a significant cyberattack suffered by the Library in October 2023, which has compounded financial pressures. While acknowledging budgetary constraints, the union remains firm that workers should not bear the brunt of cost-saving measures. A spokesperson for the Library stated a continued commitment to negotiating a fair and timely settlement with union representatives, aiming for constructive dialogue and resolution.