Fórsa criticises Irish Water delays
by Niall Shanahan, Mehak Dugal and Roisin McKane
 
Briefings Richy’s comments come as Fórsa’s series of local briefings on the Irish Water transformation programme and the associated framework document continues
Briefings Richy’s comments come as Fórsa’s series of local briefings on the Irish Water transformation programme and the associated framework document continues

Fórsa has hit out at delays by Irish Water to fill vacant posts, as well as delays to honouring the existing service level agreement (SLA) and the transition to the implementation of a revised framework for the future delivery of water services.

 

National secretary Richy Carrothers said an ongoing row on the non-filling of vacancies between the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Irish Water must end: “We require political intervention immediately to ensure that the parties honour the commitments provided for in the framework and the SLA are carried out. It’s also essential that the Government name the date for the referendum next year.

 

“Water vacancies must be filled immediately. The existing SLA must be honoured as we transition to the implementation of the framework for the future delivery of water services as negotiated via the WRC with the Department, Irish Water, the Local Government Management Association (LGMA) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

 

“Fórsa will not be distracted from the business of protecting members, and their terms and conditions, and ensuring that the creation of Uisce Éireann is fit for purpose and publicly run and accountable, all under underpinned by referendum to get water forever in public ownership,” he said.

 

Briefings

Richy’s comments come as Fórsa’s series of local briefings on the Irish Water transformation programme and the associated framework document continues. The briefings aim to inform members about the framework document and discuss and staff concerns over the proposed transfers.

 

Further meetings are scheduled in September, details of which are below and will be circulated to Fórsa’s local authority membership. Online briefings are also planned towards for those who are not in a position to attend the in-person briefings.

 

19th September              Limerick             15:00              Longcourt Hotel, Newcastle West

23rd September              Cavan                 TBC               TBC

29th September              Mayo                  11:00              Auditorium, Regional Training Centre, Castlebar

30th September              Wicklow               9:30              County Hall, Wicklow Town

7th October                     Louth                 11:00              TBC

 

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.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

 

LikeLike (0) | Facebook Twitter