Fórsa is encouraging members to sign the Keep Water Public petition, which calls on Minister Darragh O’Brien to name the date for the referendum on the public ownership of water services.

Whilst the Minister has confirmed the intention to run the water referendum, a date has not yet been secured.

The union has expressed its disappointment at Government’s repeated failure to act on its promise to stage a referendum on water ownership and has once again called on Government to “live up to its commitments” and hold a referendum on the public ownership of water services.

Head of Fórsa’s Local Government and Local Services and Municipal Employees’ Divisions Richy Carrothers called on members to back the petition and said that a referendum would help protect Irish water services from any future attempt at privatisation by providing a constitutional guarantee of public ownership.

“Privatised water services result in higher costs and poorer services for the public. Public ownership of water services ensures safe and sustainable access to water for everyone. It is critical that we continue to press Government to name the date to keep water public,” he said.

The coalition of unions behind the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign, comprised of Fórsa, Siptu, Connect, Unite and ICTU, have urged the decision makers to name the date and encouraged members to get behind the campaign by signing this petition.

“This is the kind of grassroots campaign that unions do best and I’m confident that Fórsa members will seize the opportunity to get this message across to the Government parties,” said Richy.

You can sign the petition HERE.

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