UNISON members working for the Environment Agency in Leeds and Sheffield will take strike action for the first time on Wednesday 18 January.
Staff in the agency have seen their pay eroded by over 20% in the last decade and are now “working one day in every five for nothing“.
UNISON national secretary for the environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “Dedicated staff have seen their salaries eroded and the cost of living crisis sees many at breaking point.
“The sum allocated to the agency was woefully inadequate to recruit and retain skilled public servants in key roles. The agency is seeing the impact of low pay on staff recruitment and retention in a similar way to that seen across the NHS – but is not seeking engagement to try and address the key issues.”
Pickets are to be held in Leeds and Sheffield from 7.30am to 10.30 am at the following locations:
Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT
Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 4WF
