FEATURE Climate change
Such robbery will only become less and less sustainable as the climate emergency ramps up in the coming years.
“When I first started 25 years ago, Storm Ciarán-type floods were considered a once-in-decade event. Then they said it was once every five years. And now, we’re seeing flooding on that scale literally twice a year. “It’s only going to get worse,” John warned. “I can see for myself water levels rising year on year – we’re not ready for it.”
And, he adds, there is as yet no political will to do anything about it either.
middle of the night, up to their waist in sewage and water, working a 24-hour shift with virtually no break.”
To add insult to injury, Rivers Agency workers’ overtime rates were slashed in a recent pay review from time and a half to time and a third because, according to John, “management said they believe it pays too much”.
Dire staffing levels – with any new hires going to management instead of the frontline – has hollowed out the service beyond recognition.
“A skeleton crew has become the norm in our workplace,” John noted. “The gaps are filled by hiring contractors, who are paid twice as much as we are but who don’t have the same skills. It’s robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
“All we’re asking for is that management and people higher up in government listen to us. We know what we need to do our jobs – give us what we need so we can support the communities and businesses that desperately need our help.”
John’s plea to management comes as Unite members employed by the Rivers Agency have taken ongoing strike action in defence of the work they take so much pride in.
Commenting, Unite regional officer Joanne McWilliams said, “Unite
represents most of the Rivers Agency workers who act as frontline responders in flooding events, which are sadly increasingly frequent given climate change.”
“Unfortunately their dedication in protecting the public is in no way
reflected in their pay. As industrial civil service workers, basic pay rates in the Rivers Agency are just above the legal minimum. This is a tough job – and combined with low pay – means there’s a permanent staffing crisis which is then used to push outsourcing and privatisation.
“But our members have had enough,” Joanne added. “In September, Rivers Agency workers joined with those from forestry, roads service and historic monuments to take five-days strike action for improved pay. That industrial campaign will have to continue until we see a decent pay increase – workers in the Rivers Agency cannot accept more of the same.”
*Name changed to protect identity “
For the 24 hours we were out, we worked in crews of only five. We aren’t given standard equipment like sat navs in our vehicles, so we had to use our personal mobiles to find where we were going. Newry and Downpatrick are on the other end of the country so it was incredibly difficult finding very specific locations
Unite member, Rivers Agency worker
” John 12 uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2023/24
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