SIPTU members of water supply in Limerick, Cork, Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown and Fingal have voted to strike in a dispute over the transfer of services to Uis Éireann.
SIPTU said there was overwhelming support for strike action based on the initial results of votes being held on income protection for workers not relocating to Uisce Éireann but staying in local authorities, reports RTE.
The union said there was a high level of frustration among members as local authorities were unwilling to receive the value of the revenue once UIC Éireann took over responsibility for the provision of water services nationally.
“The framework agreement clearly states that terms and conditions are to be retained, but when we tested the meaning of that with the local authorities, it was clear that while core terms and conditions would be protected, the commitment on the retention of the value of earnings was not there,” said Karan O Loughlin, Divisional Organiser for SIPTU’s Public Administration and Community Division, reports RTE.
Ms O’Loughlin said: “This is a key part of enabling the successful transfer to Uisce Éireann and without it, the transfer just won’t happen,” reports RTE.
SIPTU has warned of significant disruptions to water supplies for both households and businesses if the required commitments are not clearly articulated.
Voting will run through May 4 and further results will be announced as voting closes in each local government area.
“They may continue to work in water services, under the direction of Uisce Éireann, until 31 December 2026. Local authorities will no longer have any involvement in the direct provision of water services to the public beyond that date,” a spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said, reports RTE.
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