‘Flood risk’ to homes and businesses as British Waterways slashes
staff and recruits more volunteers, warns Unite
21 February 2011
An increased risk of homes and businesses being flooded is on
the cards because of British Waterways’ plans to slim down its
workforce to become a ‘Big Society’ charity.
Unite, the largest union in the country, said that the danger
comes from British Waterways’ desire to recruit more volunteers to
replace professional and skilled workers, who are well-versed in
maintaining canals and reservoirs. The organisation is seeking to
make 100 of its 1,700 workforce redundant.
Unite National Officer, Docks and Waterways, Julia Long said
that staff were seriously concerned with suggestions that the
long-term unemployed will be forced into replacing current staff on
just £1 an hour under the coalition’s 'Workfare UK' project.
Julia Long said: ‘Some British Waterways regional managers have
already started advertising on the company website for
volunteers to fill roles previously performed by employees, despite
agreements that this would not happen.’
‘The real impact of bringing in an unskilled workforce is an
increased risk of flooding to people’s homes and businesses. The
reduction in spending has already meant the network
operating a so-called ‘managed retreat’, prioritising work on
the basis of urgency.’
‘The management already have mobile teams racing round the
network patching up breaches and it’s frequently the case
that by the time the teams hear about a breach and get there, it is
too late.’
‘A total of 2,200 miles of canals and over 70
reservoirs are maintained by these skilled professionals. And
it is likely that the New Waterways charity, which will take over
from British Waterways in 2013, will be looking after the waterways
currently maintained by the Environment Agency - with no additional
resources.’
Unite said that British Waterways aims to freeze the pay of its
staff and reduce the funding for essential maintenance to ‘recover’
some of the £10 million ‘lost’ by the funding axe wielded by
the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The management is hoping that this pay freeze will save up
to £3m – which Unite said nearly equates to £3.5 million paid
to the nine company executives in 2009/10.
‘This sits very uneasily with the cuts to the staff, which we
believe will lead to the deterioration of the canals and
reservoirs, and to what that means in terms of the increased risk
of flooding to homes and businesses.’
‘British Waterways should not be abolished and turned into a
charity, employing volunteers on ‘no’ or minimum wages.’
‘It should employ professional and well-paid staff to maintain
Britain’s waterways. Our canals are one of this country’s great
heritages and should be preserved for future generations – for the
many and not just a few well-paid ‘fat cat’ directors.
-ends-
Note to news editors:
For further information, please contact Julia Long
07778749518 and/or Unite communications officer, Shaun Noble on
97768 693990
