Talks between water service employers, Fórsa, and other unions in the sector have intensified recently and sign-off on final proposals on the future of Ireland’s water services is expected shortly.

The group of unions met yesterday (23rd June) to discuss the final elements of the proposal.

Richy Carrothers, who heads Fórsa’s Municipal Employees’ Division and Local Government Division, said discussions on a framework document covering worker protections when control of water services is transferred from local authorities to Irish Water were almost complete.

Fórsa says it expects the final framework document to adequately address the industrial relations strands of the matter.

It is expected to include firm commitments that there will be no forced transfers of staff from local authorities to the national water agency, as well as guaranteed protection of pay and pensions for staff who move.

It will also likely encompass incentives to encourage staff to voluntarily transfer from local authorities to the single national water provider. But the option of remaining in local authority employment will remain.

Look out for updates on Fórsa’s website.