Water, energy and transport conference held in Liverpool

UNISON’s annual water, environment and transport (WET) conference met yesterday in Liverpool and opened with a speech from UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards (pictured above). Environment agency pay He opened by highlighting the situation that the country faced when conference last convened a year ago: “Inflation was ramping up and by the end of the year was at levels we haven’t seen for 40 years. Government borrowing soared and interest rates have climbed since. “More people pushed into poverty, more hardworking people faced with the choice between eating, paying their mortgages, buying school uniforms for their children or keeping their homes warm. “And the government’s response? Hold down pay where they were in charge and call for wage restraint across the UK – no mention of holding down excess profits though. “So, for the first time, members of the Environment Agency went out on strike over pay in January 2023, followed by another day of action in February and action short of strike action since. “Despite this action and our parliamentary pressure, the government would not engage with us to find a resolution to the dispute. But our members did not back down, they again voted for a second time for industrial action. Mr Richards went on to note that this action has led to a breakthrough, referencing the recent news of an offer of a £1,500 one off payment for last year. He continued: “Our EA sector committee has rightly said it will put the ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News 2023 National WET Conference environment agency Environment agency strike Source Type: news