'No alternative': Second day of action as Environment Agency workers strike over pay

It comes as thousands of Environment Agency workers across the country have again walked out in a dispute over pay.

EA workers gathered at the River Severn in Shrewsbury from 7am on Wednesday and plan to stay there 7pm, where they were joined by people in solidarity of their cause.

Strikers included those who attend river pollution incidents, manage, and monitor flood risk, waste crime fires, respond to drought, environmental incidents and fly-tipping incidents.

Other roles undertaken by those on strike include those who maintain critical flood barriers and manage flood warning systems along the River Severn.

Unison, which represents many workers in the public sector, explained that the industrial action went ahead “in a significant escalation of their dispute over pay” and included a three day withdrawal from incident rosters.

The trade union noted that “the employer’s failure to give a decent pay rise and the failure of any Minister to get round a table has left them with no alternative”.

Donna Rowe-Merriman, Unison head of environment, said: “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 and this appalling situation cannot go on.

“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 Environment Agency to negotiate and give workers an improved pay offer to avoid more staff 'joining the exodus'."

EA members were balloted for industrial action late last year, voting overwhelmingly to take industrial action.

However, it has 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.

Adam Shipp, a Unison workplace rep who works for the Environment Agency said: “Even though we turn out every year to protect the people of Shrewsbury, Shropshire and beyond from flooding, we have seen our pay reduced by over 25 per cent in real terms over the last 10 years.

"The Agency’s chief executive, Sir James Bevan, has even called the Governments pay offer 'unwise, unjust and unfair'.

"Our members should be properly compensated for turning out in all weathers and doing their utmost to stop properties flooding and protecting the environment.

"During recent floods on the Severn they were working around the clock for weeks on end. Government cuts, the cost of living crisis and below-inflation pay rises mean we have over a thousand vacancies nationally and we’re on our knees.

"Staff have had enough with some having to rely upon food banks and help from relatives."

With the current rate of inflation at more than 10 per cent, Environment Agency staff have been offered two per cent as well as an unconsolidated payment of £345.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “As a public sector organisation the Environment Agency remains bound by the pay policy of the government of the day.

“We have plans in place to minimise disruption to our essential work to protect the environment and respond to critical incidents.”

A Defra spokesperson said: “The Environment Agency are meeting regularly with unions to have open and honest conversations about pay, conditions and reform. Defra representatives are involved in these meetings and ministers are being updated.”