A new Government water policy statement has given some reassurance to staff working in the sector by saying that service level agreements (SLAs) between local authorities and Irish Water will remain in place until an alternative is agreed. Fórsa is currently in talks with employers on the issue.

The statement sets out the Government’s high-level objectives, policies and strategies for water services from now until 2025.

The union has previously sought assurances that neither the Government nor Irish Water will unilaterally change current arrangements.

Fórsa is also strongly opposed to any plan to transfer staff out of local authorities without their agreement. This stance was endorsed at the union’s national conference last week.
 
Last year, Irish Water outlined its intention to create a single water agency and employer by 2021, four years before the expiry of current service level agreements with local authorities. Fόrsa favours streamlining the existing SLA model instead.

Fórsa represents water service staff in its Municipal Employees’ division and Local Government and Local Services division.

Read the full Water Services Policy Statement here.