United Utilities workers to strike over pay and ‘under-investment’ in system

More than 1,000 staff at United Utilities have voted for strike action over their pay award and what they say is “years of under-investment in the system”.

The GMB union said their members are demanding “no more cuts and clean water now” from the Warrington-based water and wastewater company.

The union said 1,100 United Utilities employees, who work on both clean and dirty water, will down tools following an industrial action ballot.

A majority of 68% voted to strike after years of real terms pay cuts, the GMB said.

Dates for the strike, which will affect leaks, maintenance and cleaning up sewage after spillages, will be announced in the coming days, it added.

GMB organiser, Steve Whittle, said: “There is real frustration from our members.

“They’ve seen their pay slashed in real terms for several years, while shareholders and directors trouser fortunes.

“Meanwhile the infrastructure is left to crumble through a lack of investment.

“Enough is enough – GMB members at United Utilities demand no more cuts and clean water now.”

The water company has been the focus of local anger in Fleetwood over the past fortnight regarding allegations of waste water polluting the Fylde coast linked to a fractured pipe.

However, United Utilities insists the pipe does not pump raw sewage into the sea, but carries treated, clean water 5km out to sea.

Responding to the ballot, United Utilities, which disputes GMB’s numbers on the turnout for the vote, said: “That vote took place two weeks ago. Since then we have made an improved pay offer which ranges between 7.5% to 8.6% for our employees, along with an additional payment of £1,000. All four recognised unions, including GMB, are currently balloting their members on the new offer.

“We have positive relations with our trade unions and have awarded pay settlements year on year as part of constructive negotiations. If this latest pay offer is accepted, then the overall increase in base salaries, since 2020, would be between 16.6% and 17.7%, plus additional one-off lump sum payments of £1,500.

“GMB has not notified us of strike action and all of our employees continue to work as normal, maintaining services for customers.”