Union says water must stay public
IMPACT has said it will campaign against the introduction of water charges if the Government rows back on its promise to keep Irish Water in public ownership. The decision was taken following a long and impassioned debate at the union’s conference in Killarney earlier this month.
Delegates overwhelmingly rejected calls for the union to adopt a blanket opposition to water charges after hearing water workers’ fears that this would put their jobs in jeopardy. But the conference united around concerns that water services could ultimately be privatised, which would herald both job losses and higher charges for households.
Many delegates paid tribute to the union’s work in protecting the jobs and working conditions of water workers after the establishment of Irish Water.
Government spokespeople have repeatedly said that there are no plans to privatise Irish Water.
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