Environment Agency staff to strike

ENVIRONMENT Agency staff have voted to strike over pay for the first time in the organisation’s 26-year history.

Unison said 72% of the 2,800 employees balloted by the union across England – including river inspectors, flood forecasting officers, coastal risk management officers and sewage plant attendants – voted to take action.

Earlier in the year staff, who also work on the Thames Barrier, maintain coastal defences and manage the risk of flooding from rivers, reservoirs and the sea, rejected what they described as an “insulting” 2% pay offer plus a £345 oneoff payment.

Unison’s head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “Inflation is now even higher than when the ballot opened. In the face of a derisory wage offer that’s way below the cost of living, it’s not hard to see why so many have voted to strike.

“Environment Agency workers take great pride in the support they give to communities and businesses across England, but they’ve been taken for granted for long enough and feel it’s now time to take a stand.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Our staff work tirelessly to protect and enhance the environment. As a public sector organisation the Environment Agency is bound by the pay policy of the government of the day.

“Decisions on industrial action are for unions and their members. We are making plans to minimise any disruption to our work to protect the environment, people and wildlife from harm should industrial action take place.”