The dispute by GMB members in Northern Ireland Water over pensions enters a fourth week today after the failure of talks last week facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency.

The GMB. said a rally will be held on Wednesday 14th January in Belfast for water workers facing proposals that will cost many members up to £100 per month

More than 1,000 workers, represented by GMB, NIPSA and UNITE, began taking industrial action on 22 December which includes a work-to-rule action. Supply disruptions are likely as Northern Ireland Water maintain more than 2,700 treatment works and pumping stations.

After 3 days of talks with managers last week officers from GMB, NIPSA, UNITE were not prepared to recommend the new proposals to union members. This stance was backed up by local union representatives at a meeting in Belfast on 9th January.

The failure of the talks means that a protocol on emergency cover designed to avoid serious disruption to water supplies will not be reinstated.

Alan Perry, GMB Regional Officer, said:

 “Management at Northern Ireland Water have all along failed to recognise the determination of water workers to defend their pensions.”

“The strength of feeling amongst union members is such that emergency cover has been completely withdrawn. The goodwill shown by staff over the holiday period has evaporated and while there was some hope that this week’s talks could have produced a temporary solution the latest management offer is so weighted down with strings and chains that it has been rejected outright.”

“Clearly our members regret that the public will now suffer disruption but they feel forced into this position by management intransigence. We ask management and the Minister to recognise the seriousness of the position and withdraw the current proposals regarding the pension scheme.”