Water, environment and transport

UNISON is the leading union in utilities 

We work closely with a large number of groups including the Consumer council for water, All party parliamentary water group and the Campaign for better transport to improve the working lives of members and the services provided to our communities.

Around half of these members work in frontline customer service jobs and the remainder in infrastructure, technical, scientific and maintenance roles.

Our members work in: 

• water companies;
• the Environment Agency;
• passenger transport;
• bus companies;
• Canal and River Trust;
• regional and local airports. 

We are here to help improve the working lives of members, some who work in hazardous conditions, and to help negotiations and consultations on issues such as pay, conditions, training and company reorganisations. 

With our collective voice, we call for change on the big issues affecting your working life. We negotiate on your behalf and bargain for better working conditions and fair pay. We provide expert support when you need it. We support your local rep in your workplace and our activists across our sector. And we campaign for safe work for you and reliable services for our communities. 

Representing you 

We promote and defend the rights of all workers across the water, environment and transport sector. We represent people in a wide range of levels, grades and roles:

• administration and clerical;
• customer service and call centre work;
• engineering;
• industrial and infrastructure;
• managerial and professional;
• manual;
• scientific;
• technical.

UNISON and the water industry

Our members in the water industry include engineers, scientists, technicians, industrial workers and staff working in offices and call centres.

Working in the water industry can be hazardous, so health and safety is a key concern whether you work at a treatment plant, a sewage works or in an office. Pay, conditions, pensions, training and company reorganisations are just some of the issues we raise with water companies.

UNISON and the Environment Agency

The Environment Agency employs more than 11,000 people. UNISON is the largest trade union recognised by the agency. Our members carry out a wide range of roles including; clerical, administrative, technical, professional and scientific jobs.

UNISON plays a key part in negotiations and consultations within the agency, as well as campaigning on issues such as workplace health and safety, pay, conditions, training and policy. We also seek to raise the public profile of the critical work members perform keeping communities safe and dealing with environmental incidents such as flooding.

UNISON and the transport industry

We have many members in a wide range of transport organisations, particularly passenger transport executives, bus companies, British Waterways and regional airports. Our members’ jobs include professional, managerial, administrative, manual and engineering roles.

UNISON helps transport sector workers with common workplace issues, like pay, conditions and health and safety issues. Each transport group also has specific local priorities that we also support. We have been at the forefront in fighting to protect key public transport service from significant reductions.