- Conference
- 2024 Water, Environment & Transport Conference
- Date
- 8 February 2024
- Decision
- Carried
This Conference notes.
A review of the Operations and Maintenance functions of Canal & River Trust was undertaken in 2023 with any changes expected to be implemented before the end of March 2024. This involved looking at all the activities and work programmes carried out by the Regional Operations and Direct Services Teams – over 800 colleagues many of whom are members of UNISON and Unite. These teams carry out vital operations and maintenance activities on the waterway network across the country.
• Direct Services are the in-house construction company consisting of construction teams, Mechanical & Electrical teams and two lock gate workshops. Working closely with other teams Direct Services undertake and complete a nationally prioritised programme of projects.
• Regional Operations are the on the ground ‘face’ of CRT around the country, providing an open, navigable, safe network and are the first point of contact for customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The Trust is currently looking at ways to save money and work more efficiently as a result of possible cuts in its Government Grant from 2027. This Operations and Maintenance review is considering changes to working arrangements with possible merging of teams or combining workloads and reduction on posts.
This conference calls on the Water, Environment and Transport SGE to:
• To monitor the impact of the proposed changes on safety and operation of the waterway network
• Raise any proposed changes with Management at the Joint National Forum consultation meetings.
• Oppose any changes which impact on safety and operation of the waterway network or result in Job losses.