Union warns minister that industrial dispute will quickly impact safety of water supplies

Members of Unite, employed by NI Water and NI Water (Alpha) will begin industrial action next week with full strike action beginning before Christmas in a dispute over pay.

Employees of NI Water and NI Water (Alpha) are the only civil service workers who have yet to receive payment of a five percent increase and £1,500 non-consolidated payment from the 2023-24 tax year.

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.”

The water workers are due to commence a work-to-rule on 00.01 Tuesday 10 December. This will escalate to an all-out strike on 00.01 Tuesday 17 December 2024.

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 the lowest pay grade is currently £11.22 an hour meaning 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 the end of this week and if they vote similarly the prospect is for a joint strike action by the unions.