Fórsa has organised a series of local briefings on the Irish Water transformation programme and the associated framework document.

The union intends to add further dates and venues, with union officials set to hold meetings in each local authority over the coming months.

The briefings aim to inform members about the framework document and discuss and staff concerns over the proposed transfers.

The preliminary schedule for the meetings is as follows:

Online briefings are also planned towards for those who are not in a position to attend the in-person briefings.

The union previously reported there would be no compulsory transfer of local authority staff to Irish Water when it becomes the single national water authority next year. This protection has been underpinned in the new ‘Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services,’ hammered out between Fórsa and other unions representing water workers, Irish Water and local authority representatives.

The robust measures in the framework, brokered by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), will also protect pay, pensions and working conditions for staff who choose to transfer to Irish Water.

It gives local authority water workers a range of options to choose from – including the right to remain in council employment – as the phased transfer of responsibly for water services is implemented between next year and 2026.

An outline of the framework is available here.