PLANS to axe 500 jobs at Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water) have been condemned as a “cold-hearted shambles” by trade unionists.

The GMB was responding to the firm’s plan to cut 500 jobs, which was announced at the end of last week.

The union’s national officer Nicola Savage said: “Welsh Water have shown a total lack of transparency on why they need to shed 500 jobs.

“Less workers will lead to fatigue, health and safety issues and increased absence for those that remain.”

The union said there had not been any consultation over the plans and called “on Welsh Water to think again.”

The firm, the fifth-largest based in Wales, with over 3,500 employees, is meant to be a non-profit enterprise, claiming that it reinvests profits back into the business, but its sewage spills are among the highest. It has also faced criticism for its high executive pay and customer bills.

Dwr Cymru chief executive Pete Perry claimed the cuts were so that “we can protect services for customers.”