NI Water workers could strike over the next two weeks as unions accuse the Finance Minister of withholding a pay rise and lump sum afforded to civil service workers.
Trade unions GMB and Unite urged Caoimhe Archibald to sign off on a 5.5% pay increase and a one-off £1,500 payment which has been received by “all other civil service workers” in 2023/24.
It would be the first strike action for a decade at NI Water, a government-owned company funded by the Department for Infrastructure.
Unions warned that strike action would have a “high impact” across Northern Ireland, and it could be particularly harmful in the event of a cold snap of weather when pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting.
GMB said 500 workers at NI Water and 40 at its company NI Water Alpha are being balloted for strike action, with the ballot to close on December 9.
It said the payments had been given the green light by NI Water but needed sign-off by the Department of Finance (DoF).
The unions said Ms Archibald was risking “the first NI water in strike in a decade” if she did not approve the payment and increase.
A spokesperson for the DoF said it had been notified of the pay increase on November 18.
“DoF officials are currently completing the normal due diligence to ensure that the NI Water approach to the pay award is affordable enabling essential public services and public sector employment to be sustainably funded going forward.
“The Finance Minister understands the concerns of the unions and the department is progressing the business case as a matter of urgency.”
The Department for Infrastructure was also asked for comment.
Members of both unions voted for industrial action with majorities of more than 90% in a recent consultative ballot.
Alan Perry, GMB senior organiser, said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly for strike action in the consultative ballot.
“If they come back and vote the same way in the industrial ballot then our unions will provide seven-day strike notice on the employer.
“Unless Minister Archibald moves, the prospect is that water workers will be on picket lines in the next two weeks.
“The window of opportunity to avoid this strike is rapidly shrinking — the Minister needs to act and act quickly to avoid what is an entirely unnecessary and potentially hugely disruptive strike action.”
Joanne McWilliams, Unite regional officer, added: “Minister Archibald needs to act quickly to avert the risk of a disruptive dispute.
“Everyone else — the employer and the Department for Infrastructure — has agreed that this payment should finally go to these workers but she is now holding it up.
“It is completely unacceptable that water workers are still waiting for a payment all other civil service workers received months ago — simply because their government-owned employer is arms-length. The Minister needs to recognise that our members will not accept being treated unfairly.”
A spokesperson for NI Water said: “We are aware of the ongoing ballot and continue to liaise with relevant parties.”
The Department of Infrastructure was contacted for comment.
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News Catch up – Wednesday 27th November