OFWAT price regime threatens water industry jobs, warns GMB

London - Water industry regulator Ofwat’s announcement on the price regime for the next five years could lead to significant job losses, according to the GMB. The trade union also warned that it will take industrial action to safeguard the jobs of workers in the industry.

“Ofwat’s announcement on the 09 price review because further turmoil in the Water Industry. It will give rise to a threat of very substantial job losses. Even before Ofwat’s final determinations, some water companies had announced their intention to cut jobs and outsource activities in order to protect their profits, and we now expect other water companies to try and follow suit,” said Mick Rix, GMB national officer for the mater industry.

“GMB will not stand by and allow this vital public service to be further decimated whilst the private equity owners of the water companies pocket huge profits. We have already drawn up plans, with other unions in the industry, to defend this industry,” continued Rix.

“We will resist, by any means possible, all attempts to get rid of our water industry members, whose skills and experience are vital to deal with the aftermath of events like the horrendous floods currently causing such problems in Cumbria and a few summers ago in the Thames Valley.”