Waterways staff win 8.2% rise

Public services union UNISON has secured an 8.2% pay rise plus a £250 lump sum for workers at the Canal and Rivers Trust charity after talks at the Acas conciliation and arbitration employment service.

The 1,700 workers were initially offered a pay rise of just 5.5%, made up of a 4% interim award in June and another extra 1.5% in October. This was rejected by 83% of staff.

The newly negotiated offer was accepted by 94%. UNISON national officer Andrew Dobbie said: “Members will now be seeing a good increase in their monthly salary. We’re pleased we could reach a settlement that members strongly backed.

“It’s important for employers in the environmental sector to invest in their workers in order to attract and retain people to do such vital work.”