BW selling its workers tools

BRITISH Waterways intends selling over 1,000 of its workers tools and equipment at an online auction to be held this month.

This is seen by many as a sign of its intention to further cut its work force, as not only are its small tools being sold but equipment such as cement mixers, generators, electric drills and welders are being scrapped.

Third this year

This is the third British Waterways auction this year, with already floating plant going, and an auction about six weeks ago at Newark that included such as mowing machinery, as mowing has been contracted out.

And as its Veg Pledge has now gone, this new auction includes of course trimmers and hedge cutters being offered, as no longer used.  Stihl Pole saws and chainsaws, used to cut overhanging trees are being sold off.

Little to work with

Pumps too, so much needed to drain locks are going, 1,000 items in total that will surely leave its remaining work force with little to work with.

To make sure anyone can buy, PayPal is being used as a payment method.

The thinking behind this is not known, but the remaining British Waterways workers are very worried, as those who spoke to our Pam Pickett very well show.

No doubt we will be told the equipment and tools are 'surplus to requirements', which is the usual reply, so we didn't bother to ask...

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British Waterways will in future hire tools from the company HSS Hire. This seems a ludicrous—and expensive—decision, allowing its own tools to go at rock bottom prices, whilst then paying out to hire the same tools.  We have to ask, how many more ways will its directors find to spend the money that should surely go on maintaining the waterways?