NI Water has confirmed that non-frontline NIPSA union members will begin industrial action relating to a dispute over pay arrangements, with a one-day strike planned for 31 December and 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 relates to NIPSA’s demand for recognition of multiple collective bargaining units for non‑frontline staff.”

 “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 

• This ballot does not include our frontline employees who have accepted the 24/25 & 25/26 pay award.
• We have robust contingency planning arrangements in place and will seek to minimise the impact of any industrial action taken.