NI Water workers have suspended strike action after a pay award was approved by infrastructure minister John O’Dowd.
Workers at NI Water look set to receive a 5% pay increase and a one-off payment of £1,500, following initial approval by Mr O’Dowd.
There were concerns that Northern Ireland could face widespread water disruption, potentially affecting thousands of homes, if water workers went ahead with planned industrial action set to begin on December 10.
On Thursday Minister O’Dowd said: “I have been clear throughout that NI Water provides an essential public service and its frontline staff should receive fair pay for the delivery of that service.
“I am pleased that all necessary approvals are now in place for the pay award of 5% consolidated uplift and a £1,500 non consolidated payment for 2023-24.
“I hope by approving this pay award we can now provide reassurance that there will be no disruption to water supply and wastewater services for all homes and businesses throughout the North.”
Following the announcement from the Department for Infrastructure, unions have today confirmed that the planned action has been suspended.
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Both Unite and the GMB will now ballot their members on the proposed pay offer.
They have said that the pay increase provides water workers with the same increase that all other civil servants received for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Unite regional officer Joanne McWilliams said, “This workforce has been waiting for 21 months for a pay increase all other civil servants have already received.
“Disgracefully it took the threat of industrial action at the heart of winter by low-paid water workers to break the ministerial log-jam holding up this money.
“As an act of good faith industrial action has been suspended to allow members to be balloted on the new offer.”
The unions’ ballot on the offer is due to close by Wednesday December 11.
Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed the pay offer as a “significant step forward”.
The Newry and Armagh MLA said: “This represents a significant step forward, with a 5% pay rise and a £1500 payment offered to NI Water workers.
“I want to commend Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd and Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald who worked together to make funds available for this pay offer.
“The offer is a positive solution and if accepted, will help to avoid disruption to water supply and wastewater services for homes and businesses throughout the north.
“All workers deserve a fair wage and good working conditions, and Sinn Féin will continue to work in the Executive to make this a reality.”