NI Water Strike Averted After Pay Offer Acceptance

Industrial action by NI Water employees, planned for this week, has been called off following a vote by union members to accept a pay offer from the Department for Infrastructure. The proposed deal features a 5% salary increment and a one-off payment of £1,500. Approximately 250 members from Unite and 100 from GMB participated in the vote to accept the offer. Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, expressed that it was “shocking” that planned strike action was necessary for ministers to authorise a “long overdue pay award”. She further stated: “Thankfully sense has prevailed and the frontline workers who maintain the fresh water and waste water infrastructure have finally been given a pay increase all other civil servants have already received.” Graham added that the pay deal was only won through union strength and a willingness to take industrial action. Unite also indicated that NI Water has been facing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff due to issues with remuneration. Alan Perry, GMB senior organiser, commented: “Our members remain some of the lowest paid within the sector, but this pay rise is welcome. “It’s in line with what other public sector workers received – but the fact our members had to wait 20 months is not acceptable.”” He further stated: “GMB will demand NI Water uplift their hourly rate and give them their back pay as quickly as possible.” Perry concluded by saying: “We look forward to engaging with the employer in a timely manner in January to begin next year’s pay claim.”