Northern Ireland Water workers to begin industrial action next week

Northern Ireland Water workers are to begin industrial action next week, it was announced today.

And union Unite is warning that the dispute “will quickly the impact safety of water supplies”.

The water workers are due to start a ‘work-to-rule’ on Tuesday, December 10 but are warning that it “will escalate to an all-out strike” by following Tuesday, December 16 if their pay demands are not met by Stormont Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald.

Read more: Thousands face water being cut off if strike action by NI Water staff goes ahead

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The move comes as staff in both the Unite and GMB unions continue to demand a five percent pay increase and £1,500 ‘non-consolidated payment’ from the 2023-24 tax year. They argue that public sector staff in other sectors have already got the pay hike.

Last week the Finance Minister said she “understands the concerns of the Unions and the Department is progressing the business case [for a raise] as a matter of urgency”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is a disgrace that Northern Ireland water workers are paid just a few pence an hour more than the basic minimum wage. Indeed, some of our members had to receive a top-up last year just to make their pay legal.

“These workers are waiting 21 months for a pay increase that all other civil servants received long ago. It is totally unacceptable that the finance minister is now holding up this overdue pay increase.

“Unite is totally focussed on putting the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first and the Northern Ireland water workers will receive the full support of their union.”

Unite has written to finance minister Caoimhe Archibald to demand she “urgently approves the business case for a pay increase due in the 2023-24 fiscal year and avoid the prospect of avoidable and disruptive industrial action”.

Unite regional officer Joanne McWilliams said: “Unite has written to the finance minister to highlight the risks that are likely to arise quickly when industrial action begins. Our members play a vital in ensuring the supply of safe drinking water. The minister must act immediately, deliver the 21 month overdue pay increase to our members and end an entirely avoidable and disruptive industrial dispute.”

At present, Unite says, the lowest pay grade is £11.22 an hour meaning and “some workers have to have their pay topped up for it to remain lawful”.

A ballot of members of the GMB trade union will close at the end of this week and if they vote similarly there is the prospect of a joint strike action by the unions.

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