Job cuts risk gas safety says GMB

GMB, the trade union representing gas workers, has slammed Northern Gas Networks for cutting jobs that threaten the safety of gas supplies, despite Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concerns over the adequacy of current staffing levels.

Gary Smith, GMB national secretary called the company’s decision to make gas engineers redundant “highly irresponsible”. He said: “Despite warnings from the HSE that the number of leakage repair teams in Cumbria is inadequate, Northern Gas Networks are intent on making up to 80 redundancies. These job cuts and an over-reliance on contractors are jeopardising safety.”