Local Authority Water Service Workers Strike

Friday, 30 June 2023 10:51

By Caoimhe Harney

Unite said it is seeking a commitment that water staff transferring from local authorities to Uisce Éireann will retain their public service status

Water service workers are on strike in 10 local authorities today.

The Unite trade union says it wants a guarantee that staff being moved from councils to Uisce Eireann will keep their public service status.

Water workers in Fingal, South Dublin, Louth, Waterford, Carlow, Tipperary, Cork and Galway councils are taking part in strike action for 24 hours, by withdrawing labour and staging pickets.

Unite says it wants a commitment that water staff transferring from local authorities to Uisce Éireann keep their public service status.

The Department of Housing says it's working with councils to keep water supplies going and a spokesperson says the strike notice is "wholly unjustified and disproportionate".

Workers want strengthening of the protection of staff involved in water services and for the government to specify a date and wording for a referendum enshrining public ownership of Ireland’s water system in the Constitution.

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