The GMB, Unite and Unison unions have said they will conduct an official strike ballot next week for members employed in Northumbrian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water for industrial action on proposed changes to the Defined Benefit pension scheme.
The ballot will commence on 18th September after notice is served on 11th September.
Maxine Bartholomew, GMB organiser, said:
“Members of the three unions consider that there are major problems with the employer over the latest pension proposals.”
“Northumbrian Water was given a final opportunity on 21st August 2015 to avoid a formal dispute, but failed to reconsider its position and acknowledge the strength of feeling against the proposed changes with union members voting overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action via consultative ballot.”
“Contrary to claims made by Northumbrian Water, a formal ballot for industrial action will take place after consultation has concluded on 10th September 2015.”
According to the GMB, the water company has “consistently failed” to demonstrate the existing Defined Benefit pension scheme is unaffordable throughout eight months of consultation.
Maxine Bartholomew added that the joint trade unions remained open to further discussions with Northumbrian Water prior to beginning to ballot their membership for industrial action on 11th September 2015.
The GMB separately referred to a recent BBC report that Northumbrian Water had returned approximately £630 million profit back to the Hong Kong based owners Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI) in the last two years and said that CKI had given assurances to water industry regulator Ofwat and the Trustees of the pension scheme that it was “fully committed to fully safeguarding pension entitlements.”
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