Thames Water staff consider strike action

The country's biggest water authority is facing the threat of industrial action over job cuts and outsourcing work, it was revealed today.

The GMB union said its executive is to consider a strike ballot among its members at Thames Water next week in disputes over jobs and working hours.

National officer Mick Rix said: "GMB members employed at Thames Water are angry and they want the executive to give them authority for a ballot to take action to safeguard their jobs and the terms and conditions.

"Thames Water has given the excuse of the recession to cut 300 jobs. GMB members are asking - where is the recession in the water industry?

"The water service is a natural monopoly public utility that should be run for the benefit of its consumers. However, since the 1980s water has been run as a private monopoly and has been used as a cash cow for the benefit of its owners at the expense of its customers and its staff."