N. Ireland Minister Appeals Against Water Service Workers Strike

Northern Ireland's regional development minister has appealed to water service workers not to strike over plans to introduce water charges.

The unions are threatening to fight the proposals which they believe could lead to privatization.

"It seems premature, before we have the outcome of consultation, to consider industrial action," Angela Smith said.

Albert Mills of the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), who is leading the campaign against water charges, believes protest action is the only option.

"What we have suggested is, in the first instance, one day of action along with the communities as a protest, to have a mass rally," he said.

"Water workers would be balloted to take that sort of action, to come out on to the streets and show this government that we don't want this," he added.

As many as 600 jobs could be lost as part of what the government sees as the reform of Northern Ireland's water services.

The plans have already met with angry protest from the public. At a public meeting in Belfast on Tuesday, the audience rejected an offer to see a 15-minute video outlining options on how reforms to the water and sewerage services could be funded.

A series of meetings are being held around the province as part of the public consultation process.

In March, it was revealed that the reform of Northern Ireland's water services was going to cost home owners hundreds of pounds a year in new charges.

The government unveiled a consultative document setting out plans for a £3bn investment program.

No specific cost per household has been identified.

The document also sets out various options for a restructured water service, ranging from a government organization to a not-for-profit company as is the case in Wales. Privatization is not ruled out.

There would also be some form of water regulator to rule on the quality and value we get.

Under EU rules, some form of water charge for households in Northern Ireland must be in place by 2010.

However, water rates could be brought in much sooner, as early as 2006.

Source: BBC News