As Salford University lecturers concluded 14 days of action in defence of their pensions today, hundreds of North West United Utilities workers began the first of two days of strikes in defence of their pensions.
United Utilities' management wants to impose changes to a staff pension scheme from April 1st, which will reduce scheme members' pensions significantly, with younger members of staff due to lose as much as £10,000 per year of their guaranteed income in retirement.
The plan seems particularly ludicrous as the company's pension scheme was reported to have a surplus of £248million in March 2017.
Members of UNISON and Unite unions, who repair pipes, treat waste water and resolve queries from the public were amongst those on strike today. They were joined on the picket line at United Utilities Waste Treatment Plant on Peel Road in Barton by sympathisers, including Salford councillor and UNISON Branch Secretary, Michele Barnes...
"People work hard all their life contributing into pension schemes to be able to enjoy their retirement, as and when they decide" Michele explained "If these proposals are implemented, people may have to reconsider their future plans, which isn't fair given the fact that the defined benefit scheme is still in a financially healthy position."
Vic Walsh, UNISON North West Regional Organiser added: "United Utilities are making an unnecessary and unjustified grab for the retirement incomes of their workers. The pension scheme is in good financial health and there is no need for these changes to be made. It is not too late for management to see sense and stop the strike action by halting their plan."
United Utilities has paid out more than £1.25billion to shareholders over the past five years and has a target of increasing its dividend payments each year by at least the rate of inflation. The company paid its Chief Executive, Steve Mogford, £2.8million last year.
All this in the midst of United Utilities having to pay out around £20million in compensation and fines following the cryptosporidium outbreak at Franklaw in Lancashire in 2015; which left 700,000 people unable to drink tap water for three weeks.
"Our members are asking whether they are being made to pay the costs of the company's failings out of their pensions" said Vic Walsh "While executives and shareholders are doing nicely, attacks are being made on the staff who deliver an essential service to the public. It is wrong that a public utility is being run in this way."
The United Utilities strike continues on Monday 19th March at United Utilities Waste Treatment Plant on Peel Road in Barton, from 7am.
Photos courtesy of Michele Barnes
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