Industrial Relations

Thousands of water service workers vote to strike next month

A letter to Siptu members reveals the industrial action will begin on June 7, with the effect on supplies yet to be realised

The action was sparked by plans to bring all council water service workers onto state-owned Uisce Éireann’s staff.

Thousands of water service workers have voted “overwhelmingly” to take industrial action next month, in a move which could disrupt public water supplies.

Uisce Éireann, formerly known as Irish Water, has been involved in negotiations for the past four years about bringing all 3,100 water service workers in 31 councils onto its staff.

But unions representing the water service workers in councils have been balloting for industrial action due to concerns that their pay and ...