More on proposed EA staff reductions

[boatone]

The IWA are the latest to report the GMB Union's comments re alleged EA plans to "cut 90 resident lock and weir keeper posts from the river Thames."
https://www.waterways.org.uk/news/view?id=72&x[0]=news/list

The IWA believes the right place for the management of the Thames is with the C&RT but it is a pity that they choose to promulgate this sort of misinformation. We all know that there are not 90 residential lock-keepers on the Thames - around 60 or so is probably closer to the truth.

 

[Chris_d]

60 or so residential? don't they mean full time staff there are only 45 .

 

[boatone]

60 or so residential? don't they mean full time staff there are only 45 locks, talk about mis-information

suppose "full time employed" would be more accurate but the EA do own other houses occupied by staff besides the 45 primary lock houses. I believe the EA have not been recruiting as people have left/retired.

We have certainly not been informed of any specific plans to reduce numbers although we have been given to expect that there will likely be some reductions given the general announcement re EA employees being reduced by some 10% overall. Bear in mind that seasonal staff - lockies and summer assistants - will not be in these numbers either and it remains to be seen how many will be recruited this coming year.