Uisce Éireann warns of possible water disruption in Cork due to an industrial action 

Uisce Éireann is advising the public of potential localised disruption in Cork City and County to water services due to an industrial action this Friday, June 30.

Uisce Éireann has said it is aware of a planned industrial action between the Unite Trade Union and local authorities including Cork County and City Councils, relating to elements of the Framework for the Future Delivery of Water Services.

“Our Incident Management Team is assessing the potential impact of any industrial action and we are continuing to engage with management in each local authority to put appropriate plans in place to ensure the continued supply of water services,” said a spokesperson.

“Our expectation is that core activities of water services are regarded as essential services and should be exempt from industrial action.

“While the dispute is not with Uisce Éireann, it may have some limited impact on Uisce Éireann customers in some areas of the county,” added the spokesperson.

Updates on local water services will be available on www.water.ie and via Twitter @IWCare. Uisce Éireann will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. Customers with specific queries or concerns should contact the 24/7 customer contact centre at 1800 278 278.

Meanwhile, Unite members working in water services are to hold a protest at Cork City Hall tomorrow, Friday June 30, at 10.30am.

“The dispute follows members’ decision to reject the ‘Framework for the Future Delivery of Water Services’ document put forward by the Workplace Relations Commission last year, and the ongoing failure of local authorities and their representative association to engage with Unite regarding what the union believes to be shortcomings in the Framework agreement,” said a Unite spokesperson.

“Unite members are seeking a commitment that members transferring to Irish Water will retain their public service status. Unite is also seeking a strengthening of existing commitments regarding protection of local authority workers involved in water services delivery, and a removal of service and age barriers for those wishing to avail of the redundancy option.

“In addition, the union has urged that the Framework be amended to specify a date and wording for a referendum enshrining public ownership and management of Ireland’s water system in the Constitution,” added the spokesperson.