SF and DUP back Water Service staff strike

Sinn Fein and the DUP have lent their weight to plans by Water Service staff to go on strike next Wednesday over proposals to reform the service in Northern Ireland.

Both parties said they backed the stance of staff and trade unions because of the threat to 700 jobs in the province if plans for a government company to take over from the existing Water Service come about.

Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MLA Francie Molloy said: “Sinn Féin unanimously back the industrial action initiated by the trade unions in opposition to the proposed water charges.

“It is important that across the political spectrum we put aside our differences and concentrate on how we can stop the plans to impose these unfair water charges. Our focus must be on stopping these British government plans because their impact will be devastating.”

North Down DUP Assembly Member Peter Weir added: “Let me state at the outset, like many people here including the other main political parties, that the DUP is opposed to the Government’s proposals to introduce a new Water Charge for Northern Ireland.

“Together with the proposed changes to the rating system, and the amount that will needed to be raised to pay back the cost of borrowing under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, these proposals will place an unacceptable financial burden on households throughout Northern Ireland, leading to some paying treble the amount of their current local taxation.”

Next Wednesday’s strike comes after members of the four unions voted for industrial action. They say attempts to engage the government in negotiations have failed.

Secretary to the Water Service Trade Unions, Bumper Graham, said consumers would not be affected by the strike.

"Our aim is not to in any way damage provision of services, and hopefully the public will see no adverse impact," he said.

(MB/SP)