NI Water Industrial Action Expected to Severely Affect Consumers

Over 300 staff members from NI Water and NI Water (Alpha) are scheduled to commence industrial action next week, stemming from a disagreement concerning remuneration. Union members belonging to Unite will initiate a work-to-rule on December 10, which will then escalate to a full strike on December 17. Unite stated that these employees are the sole civil service personnel who have not yet received a 5% salary increment and a non-consolidated payment of £1,500 for the 2023-24 tax year. The union has issued a warning that the consequences of this industrial action could be “devastating” for consumers. NI Water acknowledged that the unresolved pay award for 2023-24 represented “a key concern”. A vote among GMB union members is set to conclude by the end of this week; should they vote in favor, a combined strike action involving both unions will proceed. The proposed strike would include 250 members from Unite and 100 from GMB. Employees of NI Water engaged in strike action from December 2014 to January 2015, during which staff implemented a work-to-rule and an overtime ban. A review conducted afterwards indicated “significant disruption to water supply in parts of Northern Ireland,” which “resulted in consumers losing their water supply.” Joanne McWilliams, Unite regional officer, informed BBC News NI that “this time we are going further.” She stated, “We are considering going all out.” Adding, “If that happens we expect the consumer will be hit a lot quicker.” “It will be more devastating because we also have another aspect – we have NI Water (Alpha) who look after the four main treatment plants within Northern Ireland, so we do believe this is going to be devastating for the consumer.” Implementing a work-to-rule implies that NI Water employees would strictly adhere to their contractual terms, refraining from starting work earlier or concluding later than stipulated. An overtime ban would prevent staff from working beyond their standard hours and would mean they would not respond to emergencies. A spokesperson for Unite declared, “We will take all requests for derogation on a case-by-case basis but on the face of it we will be withdrawing our labour.” During NI Water’s previous strike in January 2015, the review identified that “loss of water supply occurred for some consumers in an area from Derrygonnelly to Dungiven and from Killeter to Cookstown.” The cessation of out-of-hours work led to faults, typically resolved swiftly under normal conditions, causing the failure or shutdown of certain plants, thereby depriving consumers of their water supply. Unite has communicated with finance minister Caoimhe Archibald, requesting approval for the business case pertaining to a pay rise for the 2023-24 fiscal year, in an effort to avert the impending strike. McWilliams further asserted, “The minister must act immediately, deliver the 21-month overdue pay increase to our members and end an entirely avoidable and disruptive industrial dispute.” In a statement, NI Water commented: “The outstanding pay award for 2023/24 for our staff is a key concern for NI Water.” “Our partnership agreement with Department for Infrastructure (DfI) requires DfI and Department of Finance (DoF) approval before any payment can be made. While DfI has approved the pay award, it is pending DoF approval.” A DoF spokesperson stated: “The further information necessary to progress the approval of the NI Water pay remit was only received on 02 December.” “Officials continue to work at pace to assess the pay remit, which will be approved once the department has had the opportunity to properly scrutinise and is satisfied with the information provided.” “A decision is expected this week.”