Water wages freeze over

Unions representing workers at British Waterways, the managers of Britain’s canal network, have rejected an offer of 0% .

UNISON and Unite have called the move a pay cut, while pointing out that the chief executive and eight directors split a pay pot of almost £1.5 million between them this year.

The GMB general union has balloted on industrial action over changes to shift and working times for workers at Anglian Water, leading to a loss of pay of up to £2,500 according to the union.

Michael Ainsley, GMB organiser, said he was “stunned” by Anglian Water’s audacity. “There is no recession in the water industry,” he said.

Southern Water has also frozen salaries for 2009.