THE two-year disagreement between National Museum Wales and members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) may be coming to an end with the announcement of a ballot.

The union has confirmed that its members will be balloted following discussions between both parties and the Welsh Government.

The ballot will be open until Friday, June 24 after it opened yesterday and the result of the members’ consultation will be announced next week.

“This massively improved offer would never have been achieved without the principled and dignified stand taken by our members, backed by political support,” said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.

“I would like to pay huge tribute to our members who have been an absolute inspiration. We have never wanted anything other than the just settlement that they deserve.”

Since April 28, museum works have been on strike at sights all across Wales, including at Blaenavon’s Big Pit National Coal Museum, which has been closed for that period.

National Museum Wales and PCS issued a joint statement after it was announced that the ballot would be taking place.

“The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) on June 16 confirmed that they will ballot their members on an enhanced offer presented to them by Amgueddfa Cymru, in an attempt to end the dispute over changes to weekend working allowances, premium payments,” it stated.

The dispute, which started two years ago, with National Museum Wales is over proposed changes to weekend working and bank holiday allowances, also known as premium payments.

The statement continued: “In the meantime, it is likely that industrial action will continue until the result of the ballot is known in a week’s time.

“Further details can be found on the Museum’s website museumwales.ac.uk.”

“Amgueddfa Cymru and PCS aim to bring this dispute to an end quickly and resume a normal service for visitors and the people of Wales as soon as possible.”

During the strikes involving PCS union members in National Musuem Wales sites, Cardiff, Swansea, Llanberis and Drefach museums have suffered as a result of the industrial action.