Billy Bragg gave a free solo, acoustic concert on the picket line outside the Museum of Civilization Friday. (Kate Porter/CBC)

British musician Billy Bragg belted out labour songs on a cold, rainy picket line outside the Canadian Museum of Civilization Friday, bringing some cheer to workers who have been on strike for nearly two months.

"I'm very, very proud to have the public service workers union here," Bragg said during the acoustic concert on the sidewalk in Gatineau, Que. "Public service workers all over the world are the first to get put under the thumb when times get difficult and this is shameful, I think. Public service workers represent us. They're people who go out there, and in your case, tell our story."

More than 420 guides, interpreters and archivists at the Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa have been on strike since Sept. 21. They are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

On Friday, those on the picket line clapped, sang along, and held their umbrellas over Bragg and his guitar as he performed There is Power in a Union and an a capella version of The Internationale. He didn't know the words to Solidarity Forever — a picket line staple in Canada, but not in the U.K. Nevertheless, he was game to learn the song from the striking workers.

Museum employee Melissa Ferland was delighted.

"It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful for someone who is a friend of the workers and someone who is famous all over the world to come and support us. It was really a great boost in morale for everybody."

Jennifer Boyes-Manseau said Bragg also gave a nod to the workers during his concert at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa on Thursday night — a very different performance on a stage, with a sound and light system.

"It really felt like he was singing to every single one of us," she said. "He's a very inspiring individual. He's a political activist and an incredible songwriter."

As Bragg sang outside, the union that represents the workers was in mediated talks with the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corp., the Crown corporation that runs the two museums, for the first time since early October.

Boyes-Manseau said she didn't know how the negotiations were going.

"We're just hoping it'll go well," she said. "We're as determined as ever."

According to the union, the main issues in the dispute are job contracting, job security and wages.

The museums have been open during the strike, but have reported a drop in the number of visitors as some, including school groups, don't want to cross the picket lines.

As part of Bragg's visit to the National Capital Region, he also took part in a news conference on Friday morning with NDP MP Charlie Angus on artist-based copyright reform. Bragg has been an outspoken advocate for longer copyright terms.