NI Water staff strike averted after pay offer accepted

NI Water staff will no longer be going on strike this week after union members voted to accept a pay offer from the Department for Infrastructure.

The offer includes a 5% pay increase and a one-off payment of £1,500.

About 250 members of Unite and 100 from GMB voted to accept it the offer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said it was "shocking" that planned strike action was needed for ministers to authorise a "long overdue pay award".

She said: "Thankfully sense has prevailed and the frontline workers who maintain the fresh water and waste water infrastructure have finally been given a pay increase all other civil servants have already received.

"The pay deal was only won through union strength and a willingness to take industrial action."

The union said NI Water was struggling to recruit and retain workers because of pay.

Alan Perry, GMB senior organiser, said: "Our members remain some of the lowest paid within the sector, but this pay rise is welcome.

"It's in line with what other public sector workers received - but the fact our members had to wait 20 months is not acceptable."

He added: "GMB will demand NI Water uplift their hourly rate and give them their back pay as quickly as possible.

"We look forward to engaging with the employer in a timely manner in January to begin next year's pay claim."