Unite Trade Union have stated their intention to engage in two days of industrial action on Thursday, 13th July and Friday, 14th July 2023 (from 12.01am on Thursday, 13th July to 11.59pm on Friday, 14th July inclusive.
The basis of the dispute as advised by Unite relates to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) document “Framework for future delivery of water services” issued by the WRC in June 2022 following discussions between Management and the Irish Congress Trade Unions group of local authority water services unions which included the Unite Trade union. Following the issuing of the document the Congress group of unions engaged in discussions seeking clarification on a number of issues which have now been addressed. The other unions in the Congress Group of unions have at all times engaged on the basis that any additional clarifications which were issued would benefit all union members including Unite members.
Unite have chosen not to engage in this process through the Congress Group of Unions, but instead have engaged in industrial action on the basis that they should have a standalone engagement on a number of issues effectively to the exclusion of the other unions representing local authority water services staff. The matters which Unite have advised they wish to engage on are issues which the Congress Group of unions have raised as part of their engagement process and which they believe sufficient progress has been made which now allows them to progress with the implementation of the Framework document whilst continuing to pursue specific elements such as a date for a referendum.
Management have advised that they will engage with Unite through the same process in which they engaged with the other unions which is through the Congress group of unions. This process ensures integrity and consistency in engagement for all local authority water services staff, however, Unite have instead chosen to engage in industrial action with subsequent impact on the delivery of water services to members of the public.
Management remains available to engage with Unite through the Congress group of unions should they choose to do so. We believe that this is to the benefit of all water services staff in that it ensures a collective approach and reflects the collective approach which all other unions involved in local authority water services have chosen as the appropriate process to ensure that their members interests are protected.
Mike Larkin
Director of People & Organisation Development.
