Up to 1,100 workers at United Utilities could walk out in the coming weeks following an industrial action ballot, the GMB Union has confirmed.
On Friday (30 June) the union said that workers had voted to strike over pay and “in protest at years of underinvestment in the system”.
GMB said an announcement on the dates for the strike will be made in the coming days.
Steve Whittle, GMB organiser, said: “There is real frustration from our members. They’ve seen their pay slashed in real terms for several years, while shareholders and directors trouser fortunes.
“Meanwhile the infrastructure is left to crumble through a lack of investment. Enough is enough – GMB members at United Utilities demand no more cuts and clean water now.”
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “That vote took place two weeks ago. Since then we have made an improved pay offer which ranges between 7.5% to 8.6% for our employees, along with an additional payment of £1,000. All four recognised unions, including GMB, are currently balloting their members on the new offer.
“We have positive relations with our trade unions and have awarded pay settlements year on year as part of constructive negotiations. If this latest pay offer is accepted, then the overall increase in base salaries, since 2020, would be between 16.6% and 17.7%, plus additional one-off lump sum payments of £1,500.
“GMB has not notified us of strike action and all of our employees continue to work as normal, maintaining services for customers.”