NI Water confirms that non-frontline NIPSA union members are beginning industrial action due to a dispute over pay arrangements. A one-day strike is planned for 31 December, followed by a work-to-rule starting on 1 January.

NI Water’s Director of People & Learning, Rose Kelly, explained:

“While we are keen to avoid any form of action, we want to reassure the public that we will make every effort to minimise impact on NI Water’s operational services.

“Ministers Kimmins and O’Dowd have authorised pay awards in line with the wider public sector for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 that have been accepted by our frontline unions Unite and GMB.

“This dispute however centres on a technical issue around how NI Water and NIPSA negotiate pay for a section of our workforce, and the company has proposed an appropriate route for NIPSA to secure that determination.

“NI Water has made repeated efforts throughout 2025 to engage with NIPSA, including taking part in mediation earlier this month, and we remain open to continued discussion with the union.

“We feel it is important that we focus on the areas we have in common.  NI Water has a pay offer ready and has encouraged NIPSA to submit a pay claim for all non-frontline employees to enable pay negotiations to commence without delay. We are committed to finding a way forward to ensure all our employees receive their pay settlement as quickly as possible.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• This ballot relates to a small number of non-frontline employees. It does not include frontline staff, who have accepted a two year pay award covering 24/25 & 25/26.
• Robust contingency plans are in place to mitigate any potential impact. The affected employees are dispersed across various directorates.

Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com