The union, which represents many workers in the public sector, explained that the industrial action is to go ahead “in a significant escalation of their dispute over pay”.
The move is said to be the first time Agency workers have gone on strike in the regulator’s history over pay. Unison noted that “the employer’s failure to give a decent rise has left them with no alternative”.
The strike will see workers who attend waste crime fires and fly-tipping incidents walk out on 18 January from 8am to 5pm. Other roles undertaken by those on strike include those who maintain safety structures such as the Thames Barrier and coastal sea defences.
The union warned that “this comes at a time of year when extreme weather is more likely to hit the country”.
Working to rule
Unison outlined that as of last month, “thousands of workers started working to rule” for an indefinite period, meaning 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, the union added.
It has, however, been agreed that officers will step in as emergency ‘life and limb cover’ where there is a threat to life or property from incidents such as a major flood, Unison said.
Background
The union explained that “after years of wages falling further behind rising costs, workers were given an inadequate pay rise of just 2% plus a £345 payment” last November.
Unison said that its Environment Agency members were balloted for industrial action late last year, voting to take industrial action. This takes form both as next week’s planned strike action and ‘action short of a strike’, with the latter referring to the staff working to rule from 12 December.
Unison head of environment, Donna Rowe-Merriman, said that “the decision to strike wasn’t taken lightly as workers know their role is crucial in keeping communities and the environment safe”. She added that amidst the cost-of-living crisis, “the lowest paid workers are truly struggling to make ends meet”. “This appalling situation cannot go on,” Ms Rowe-Merriman added.
“Communities rely on these critical workers, particularly during bouts of extreme weather and rising problems of river pollution. They should be paid accordingly.
“Therefore, the union is urging ministers and the Agency to negotiate and give workers an improved pay offer to avoid more staff “joining the exodus”.
Mitigations
In terms of minimising disruption during strike action, mitigations have been put in place including the automation of the Agency’s flood warnings and the use of call back mechanisms for significant incidents where there is a threat to life.
The Agency also plans to keep all its incident response partners updated as the situation evolves and to provide joined-up response to incidents to protect communities.
An Environment Agency spokesperson told letsrecycle.com: “We have plans in place to minimise disruption to our essential work to protect the environment and respond to critical incidents.”
On the issue of pay, they said: “As a public sector organisation the Environment Agency remains bound by the pay policy of the government of the day.”
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