Staff strike at British Library

Workers at the British Library are to stage a 24-hour strike over a "meagre" pay offer. Members of the Public and Commercial Services union at the London library will walkout on Monday in protest at a 4 per cent offer.

The union said it wanted a bigger pay rise for lowest paid workers at the library, including assistants, who earn a basic salary of between £10,000 and £15,000.

Terry Adams, the union's national officer, said: "This pay increase is an insult to our members and the valuable work that they do."

The library said it was disappointed about the strike, adding that two other unions representing staff had accepted the 4 per cent.

Andy Cook, the director of human resources, said: "The British Library values its staff and feel strongly that we have made a good offer."

The library said it will try to maintain as many services as possible during the strike.