River Thames safety concerns lead to strike vote

There are 45 non-tidal locks along the River Thames

River Thames weir and lock keepers have begun voting on strike action over safety concerns, a trade union has said.

The GMB Union said workers would decide whether to take industrial action over "budget-driven decisions" that were "putting people and property at risk".

It said there were 52 permanent staff working on the river, along with 10 currently unfilled temporary roles, but an Environment Agency (EA) assessment in 2008 found more than 90 staff were needed during peak season.

The EA said the safety of lock and weir keepers, as well as river users, was a "top priority".

Kevin Brandstatter, of the GMB Union, said: "On any one day, there might only be 32 trained staff to operate 45 locks and weirs.

"All they want is to do their jobs safely and well and keep the public safe - and they may be ready to go on strike to achieve that."

An EA spokesman said: "To be clear, we have not proposed any cuts to jobs or services – and we will provide further detail on our approach to modernising navigation on the Thames in due course."

The ballot closes on 23 May.

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