Thames Water crisis must not come at the cost of workers, says UNISON

Tuesday 16 June 2026
For immediate release

Thames Water crisis must not come at the cost of workers, says UNISON

Commenting on reports that Thames Water could move closer to special administration and public ownership, UNISON London regional secretary Sara Gorton said today (Tuesday):

“This is a time of heightened uncertainty for Thames Water staff who’ve endured months of speculation about the company’s future. Ministers must guarantee that employees’ jobs, pensions and pay will be fully protected.

“Workers are not responsible for the company’s current position. They’ve continued to deliver vital services throughout a prolonged period of instability and deserve security and respect, not further anxiety about their livelihoods.

“The scale of Thames Water’s debt and the decline in its infrastructure show the privatised model is no longer fit for purpose. Public ownership offers the clearest route to stabilising bills, restoring environmental standards and securing decent jobs.

“Any transition must be properly planned and funded, with staff and their unions involved at every stage. Customers must not be asked to pay the price for failure - and neither should workers.”

Notes to editors:
- 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 and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Emma Davey M: 07432 733187 E: [email protected]