British Library industrial action 16-17 May

THE anti-trade union laws of the late Baroness Thatcher would result in us being sent in chains to Van Diemen's land were we to suggest any solidarity with our colleagues involved in disputes in other industries, so you won't get any such appeals from the Freelance.

Newton, a bronze statue inspired by a work of poet and artist William Blake, outside the British Library St Pancras site Photo © Matt Salusbury

However, we cannot prevent you rescheduling any days you had planned in the British Libary's reading rooms in St Pancras and Colindale anyway. The Library's attempts to stay open despite a strike on Thursday 16 May and Friday 17 May by employees over changes in pay, pensions and working conditions mean you'll only be able to order up to five books on one of those days instead of the usual ten, so with such a reduced service you might not want to bother going in.

© Matt Salusbury