Latest news with #KevinBrandstatter
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Thames weir and lock keepers vote to strike over safety concerns
Lock keepers on the River Thames have voted to take strike action over what their union said were safety concerns caused by a staff are currently 52 trained staff employed by the Environment Agency along the length of the GMB Union said that figure should be 90 during peak Environment Agency has been contacted for comment. The GMB said turnout in the ballot was 98%, with 90% voting for strike Brandstatter, GMB national officer, said: "Our River Thames weir and lock keepers are passionate, dedicated workers. They live and work with river users and don't want to go on strike."But there are only 52 staff doing the work of 90 - it's just not safe."He said staff had gone "above and beyond" to keep people safe but "enough is enough"."They have the support of boaters, river users, those who live on and by the river and hikers," he added."They now feel withdrawing their labour is the only way to get their message across to the Environment Agency."
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
River Thames weir and lock keepers vote on potential strike
River Thames weir and lock keepers consider strike 9 minutes ago Share Save Ethan Gudge BBC News, Oxford Share Save Getty Images Hambleden, near Henley, is home to one of 45 non-tidal locks along the River Thames, as well as a weir Weir and lock keepers along the River Thames have begun voting on strike action over safety concerns, a trade union has said. The GMB said workers were currently deciding whether to take industrial action over what it called "budget-driven decisions" that were "putting people and property at risk". There are currently 52 permanent staff working on the river, along with 10 currently unfilled temporary roles, but an Environment Agency (EA) assessment in 2008 found more than 100 staff were needed, the union said. In a statement, the EA said it was "committed" to working with keepers and unions to "avoid industrial action". The ballot for workers opened on Friday and will close on 23 May, the union said. GMB national officer Kevin Brandstatter said weir and lock keepers along the Thames were currently "expected to keep people safe with half the numbers needed". "There are only 52 staff doing the work of more than 90 - it's just not safe with planned time off, holiday commitments and sick absence," he said. "All they want is to do their jobs safely and well and keep the public safe - and they may be ready to go on strike to achieve that." Getty Images The union wants better staffing along the river, including at Sandford Lock In March, Mr Brandstatter raised concerns and warned of strike action in a letter to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). There are 45 non-tidal locks on the River Thames, including Osney and Iffley in Oxfordshire, Caversham and Shiplake in Berkshire and others in Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Greater London. An EA spokesperson said lock and weir keepers were an "important aid in maintaining the non-tidal Thames and allowing the public to enjoy our waterways". "Their safety, and the safety of river users, is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "We are committed to continuing to work with them and unions to update our ways of working so we can deliver more for our customers and river users, and avoid industrial action, while ensuring the wellbeing of staff." "To be clear, we have not proposed any cuts to jobs or services – and we will provide further detail on our approach to modernising navigation on the Thames in due course." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, , or Instagram.
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Third of council staff cut in last decade, says union
Councils have cut 600,000 jobs since 2012, a union has revealed. Local authorities in England and Wales employed 1,894,700 workers 13 years ago, but that number had fallen to 1,295,300 by last year, according to the GMB. Birmingham was the worst-hit council, losing almost 27,000 workers, followed by Derbyshire and Staffordshire, according to the study. Unions have begun talks with the Local Government Association after asking for a £3,000 pay rise for all employees in 2025/26. Unison, GMB and Unite, which represent 1.4 million council and school staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, say the increase is 'essential' to combat the cost of living crisis. Last year, National Employers offered a £1,290 increase, amounting to 5.77 per cent for the lowest-paid workers. It was eventually accepted in October. 'Deep and lasting damage of austerity' Kevin Brandstatter, the GMB national officer, called the figures 'appalling', adding that they 'show the deep and lasting damage austerity has done to our country'. He added: 'Council workers look after our loved ones, help our children learn, clear away our rubbish and keep our green spaces clean. They are the absolute backbone of society and should have had this year's pay lift already - instead, we are waiting for a response from the Local Government Association. 'GMB members working in local government face huge pressures, with the cost of living rocketing. They deserve a decent pay rise.' Earlier this month, it was revealed that up to 2,100 civil servants would be made redundant as the Cabinet Office shed a third of its staff. UK faces summer of discontent Britain is facing a summer of discontent as union leaders appear to be laying the groundwork for widespread strikes. Teachers, NHS workers, civil servants and university staff could stage walkouts over pay, job cuts and working conditions. Bin workers in Birmingham have continued to leave rubbish piling in the city's streets in a standoff with the Labour-run council, which has been ongoing since March 11. Months earlier, the Government offered unions large backdated pay rises in a move that forced Rachel Reeves into raising taxes in her autumn Budget. A Local Government Association spokesman said: 'Working in local government has never been more valued or important, given the hundreds of essential services provided every day by councils and combined authorities to keep our communities running. 'Significant staff shortages in local government risk having a serious impact on councils' capacity to deliver services and help the Government meet key pledges. Government investment in local government and its workforce is key to ensure services are protected, and also to deliver its own policy agenda.'
