Category: Donna Rowe-Merriman

Thousands of Environment Agency workers in England are to strike for four days over pay later this month, blaming government inaction for putting communities, waters and wildlife at risk, says UNISON today (Wednesday).

Despite months of strikes and other action where workers have taken themselves off ‘on call’ incident response rotas, ministers have made no attempt to invite unions in for pay talks, says UNISON.

The union’s latest action means staff working on coastal sea defences, protecting communities from floods, tackling water pollution, waste fires and fly-tipping will strike from 7pm next Friday (14 April). They will be out all that weekend until 7am on the Monday morning (17 April).

Endemic low pay and uncompetitive wage rates mean the Environment Agency is struggling to hold on to experienced staff and recruit new employees.

This growing staffing emergency means the Agency’s incident response and enforcement teams are already too thinly stretched to keep England’s waterways sewage-free and communities safe from harm, warns UNISON.

The longer the government persists with its ‘do nothing’ approach to staffing problems at the Agency, the worse the situation will become, the union adds.

Several recent environmental incidents, such as a huge fire at a textile factory in Mansfield and the Poole Harbour oil spill show how valuable Agency workers are in dealing with serious pollution events.

But the government’s refusal to allow the Environment Agency to improve the pay increase of 2% plus £345 given to staff in the autumn means workers have no alternative but to reluctantly strike again, says UNISON.

Where there is a threat to life or property from major incidents like flooding, Agency officers will step in as emergency ‘life and limb cover’ during the dispute has been agreed.

UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “Every community in England needs these experienced employees to help keep their local environment safe.

“All talk and very little action best describe the government’s approach to environmental policy. Announcements come and go, but nothing much happens to clean up England’s seas, rivers, lakes, and canals.

“This must change. The government needs a properly staffed Environment Agency if natural habitats and water sources are to be protected. But with too few experts on its books, the Agency can’t possibly punish the polluters and keep everyone safe.

“Therese Coffey should stop ignoring the plight of these invaluable workers and start tackling the growing staffing problems at the Environment Agency.

“Hourly rates are so low, some staff had to be given an emergency pay rise at the start of the week or their employer would have been in breach of minimum wage laws.

“It’s time the government called in the employer and the unions to settle this damaging dispute once and for all.”

Notes to editors:
– The minimum wage went up to £10.42 an hour on Saturday 1 April. Prior to this, the lowest paid workers at the Environment Agency were on £9.53 an hour.
– Environment Agency staff belonging to UNISON have been taking some form of industrial action since late December. As well as action short of a strike, staff have walked out on two previous occasions – 18 January and 7/8 February. Members of Prospect are also taking action at the Agency.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 865794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

 

The article Environment agency workers to walk out for four more days, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Thousands of Environment Agency workers in England will strike for the first time later this month in a significant escalation of their dispute over pay, says UNISON today (Thursday).

Workers who maintain important safety structures such as the Thames Barrier, coastal sea defences and those protecting communities from floods, water pollution, spills, waste fires and fly-tipping will walk out on Wednesday 18 January from 8am to 5pm. The strike comes at a time of year when extreme weather is more likely to hit the country, warns UNISON.

Last month, thousands of workers started working to rule for an indefinite period. This means they are working only their contracted hours, taking all their scheduled breaks and full rest time between shifts. Employees also refused to volunteer to be ‘on call’ and deal with live incidents last month and over sections of the festive period.

This will be the first time Agency workers have gone on strike in the organisation’s history, but the employer’s failure to give a decent pay rise has left them with no alternative, says UNISON.

The Agency is also struggling with high vacancy rates meaning those in post are having to deliver even more to ensure communities and the environment are safe.

Last November, workers were given an inadequate pay rise of just 2% – less than a fifth of the lowest current measure of inflation – plus a £345 payment, after years of wages falling further behind rising costs, says the union.

Where there is a threat to life or property from incidents such as a major flood, officers will step in as emergency ‘life and limb cover’ has been agreed, says UNISON.

UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “Dedicated staff have been left with no other option but to strike for the first time in the Agency’s history.

“The decision to strike wasn’t taken lightly as workers know their role is crucial in keeping communities and the environment safe.

“But the cost-of-living crisis has reached a point where the lowest paid are truly struggling to make ends meet. Staff often have no choice but to look for other work outside the Agency. This appalling situation cannot go on.

“Communities rely on these critical workers, particularly during bouts of extreme weather and rising problems of river pollution They should be paid accordingly.

“UNISON is urging ministers and the Agency to negotiate and ensure workers are given an improved pay offer. Otherwise, more staff will join the exodus.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contact:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Environment Agency workers to strike for the first time, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.