9 October 2006
BRITISH WATERWAYS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR JOB LOSSES
Restructure focuses on improving front line delivery of customer
services while reducing costs
British Waterways has begun consultation with trades unions on its
plans to shed 180 jobs by April 2007 in response to its need to
become even more efficient in its management of the country's 2,200-
mile waterway network. The redundancies, announced today, are part
of restructuring plans designed to bring a greater focus to customer
service delivery on the bankside. The announcement comes at a time
when the Government has announced reductions in funding to British
Waterways.
A key part of the plan involves the merging of two existing business
units Central Shires and West Midlands into a single unit
committed to delivering services and facilities across the heart of
the country's canal network. The new unit will be headed up by Tony
Harvey, the existing Central Shires general manager, and will be
based in BW's offices at Fazeley, near Tamworth.
In making this announcement BW's directors have also taken the
opportunity to assess the effectiveness of current waterway unit
structures and have made a number of changes to deliver improvements
in customer service and business efficiency. Each unit will have
three senior managers focusing on delivering:
 activities with customers, such as waterside business
development;
 activities on behalf of customers, such as a rapid response
team to fix reported problems quickly; and,
 activities that contribute to the maintenance of the
waterways' infrastructure, such as managing major works programmes.
Job losses will be concentrated amongst office-based staff where it
is believed the greatest levels of efficiency can be achieved whilst
maintaining and improving on-the-ground service delivery to the
millions of people who enjoy the canal network every year. The
restructure is expected to provide savings of £5m per annum, helping
BW to meet the financial pressures it is currently facing with a
reduction in Government grant.
Robin Evans, British Waterways Chief Executive, says: "We remain
committed to achieving our Vision and in doing so we have to make
difficult decisions along the way. I am announcing these decisions
today because they are essential if we are to maintain our rate of
progress.
"I accept that this is difficult news but we cannot be complacent in
our management of the waterways network. We must constantly adapt
and change to the circumstances around us, remaining committed to
our Vision of an expanded, vibrant, largely self-sufficient network
enjoyed by an ever increasing numbers of visitors".
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Redundancies: Every business unit and central department will be
affected by redundancies. Approximately one third of the proposed
redundancies will arise from the merger of Central Shires and West
Midlands business units. A further third are expected to be found
in other waterway units, while the remainder will come from Central
office functions with currently employ approximately 300 people (20%
reduction).
Consultation: formal consultation has begun with trades unions
representing BW staff. The employment stability policy, which
applies to those people whose terms and conditions of employment are
governed by the employment provisions, will guide the 12-week period
of consultation.
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