Hundreds of museum workers are to go on strike over pay, bringing disruption to some of the country's most popular tourist attractions.The walkout will affect the Science Museums in London and Swindon, the National Media Museum in Bradford, and the National Railway Museum in York. Unions said staff were "furious" after being given a below-inflation pay deal. About 200 museum staff in London walked out earlier this week in anotherdispute over pay. The museums say they will remain open, despite the strikes.The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the pay deal on offer to staff at the museums had been delayed by more than a year and would mean many people would receive less than 3% for 2007-08 and 2.7% for 2008-09. The Prospect union said the increase was "insulting" and only set aside 1.5% for a cost-of-living increase in 2007. It also said the only pay increases allocated to 2008 were performance-related. 'Draconian policy'Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said: "Strike action is not a step our members take lightly but, faced with pitiful pay levels and real-term pay cuts, hard-working staff have taken the decision to make a stand. "Museum staff along with other civil and public servants have grown increasingly frustrated with the government's policy of below-inflation pay, which is driving down the living standards of a diverse and dedicated workforce. "Management have to recognise that it has to pay a fair wage and the government needs to rethink its draconian pay policy." Prospect national officer Emily Boase said: "Members are furious and their patience has been exhausted." Workers at the Museum of London and the organisation's Archaeology Services went on strike on Monday in protest at a two-year 2% pay rise. The museum said it was bound by public sector pay policy set by the government.
