Commenting on new rules blocking six water companies from paying bonuses to senior bosses for failing to meet environmental, consumer or financial standards, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Thursday):
“This sends a strong message that failure shouldn’t be rewarded.
“Most people are aghast at the idea of lucrative bonuses being paid to water executives while customer bills soar and companies continue to pump millions of gallons of raw sewage into UK rivers and coastlines.
“This must be a first step in delivering accountability and improving performance across the industry.
“Firms must provide clean, safe water supplies for customers and support their staff before they even think of paying out bonuses and dividends.
“The Cunliffe Review exposed once again how the water industry is broken. Turning the sector around will take sustained investment.”
Notes to editors:
– Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Wessex Water, United Utilities and Southern Water have been told they cannot issue bonuses for the financial year 2024/25.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service, energy and water industry. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Mark Conrad M: 07809 623703 E: m.conrad@unison.co.uk
